The number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has significantly decreased, likely due to adverse weather conditions, according to data released by the Philippine Navy on Tuesday.
From July 16 to 22, a total of 80 Chinese vessels were observed in various WPS features, a reduction from the previous weeks’ counts of 105, 95, and 94 vessels. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS, told GMA News Online that this is the lowest number of Chinese vessels recorded in the WPS this year.
“It could most likely [be] due to the weather,” Trinidad noted.
In recent months, the peak number of Chinese vessels in the area was approximately 150. The following are the specific counts of Chinese vessels in certain WPS features from July 16 to 22:
- Bajo de Masinloc: 3 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, 7 Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels
- Ayungin Shoal: 4 CCGs, 2 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, 14 CMMs
- Pagasa Islands: 1 CCG, 10 CMMs
- Kota Island: 2 CMMs
- Lawak Island: 1 CMM
- Panata Island: 1 CMM
- Sabina Shoal: 1 CCG, 6 CMMs
- Iroquois Reef: 28 CMMs
The most notable reductions were seen in the Pagasa Islands, with a drop from 33 to 10 CMM vessels, and Panata Island, which saw a decrease from 14 to 1 CMM vessel. However, in Ayungin Shoal, an additional Chinese warship and two more CMM vessels were reported.
Recently, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced that the Philippines and China had reached an understanding to avoid altercations in Ayungin Shoal. This comes after a bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) meeting aimed at de-escalating tensions in the WPS, following a violent incident on June 17 where a Filipino Navy officer lost his thumb.
Despite efforts to de-escalate, tensions persist in the South China Sea, a crucial conduit for over $3 trillion in annual maritime commerce. Alongside the Philippines, China’s expansive claims overlap with those of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China’s claims in the South China Sea had “no legal basis.” However, China has refused to recognize this decision.