Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) monitored the intrusion of Chinese research and militia vessels in waters surrounding the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) during a routine Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight on Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, stated that a Chinese oceanographic research vessel, 'Xiang Yang Hong 33,' accompanied by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel BN 5309, was found stationary approximately 7.34 nautical miles west of Rozul Reef. The vessel was actively deploying a service boat toward the reef, indicating ongoing unauthorized marine scientific research (MSR) operations.
Based on Canada's Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) system, the Xiang Yang Hong 33 departed China on April 15 and has been systematically conducting survey activities across multiple features within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. The vessel was monitored at Ayungin Shoal from April 20 to 22, with support from vessels YUE XIA YU ZHI 20027 and 20026. It then moved to Escoda Shoal from April 22 to 28, conducted operations near Arellano Reef and Bulig Shoal from April 28 to May 1, was observed inside Panganiban Reef from May 1 to 3, and operated at Quirino Atoll and Rozul Reef from May 3 to 6. Since May 6, the vessel has been tracked via AIS moving from Jacinto Reef to Diego Silang Reef.
Additionally, the PCG aircraft Island 4177, responsible for the MDA operation, also spotted 28 Chinese maritime militia vessels anchored and scattered around Cay 1 and Cay 2 of the KIG. One Chinese Coast Guard vessel, CCG 5101, was observed positioned approximately 2 nautical miles west of Pag-asa Island.
Tarriela emphasized that the actions of the Chinese vessels constitute a clear violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Under UNCLOS, marine scientific research within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of a coastal state requires the express consent of that state. The Philippines has not granted such consent to the People's Republic of China (PRC) for any MSR activities in these waters.
The presence of the Chinese ships is considered a serious infringement on Philippine sovereign rights and maritime jurisdictions, and a gross disrespect to UNCLOS, to which China is a party.
