Title: South China Sea Tensions
REPORTER:
The Philippine Coast Guard says it is still closely watching three Chinese ships that remain on the outer limits of its exclusive economic zone.
A Chinese research vessel was undertaking what Manila called "unauthorized activities" in Philippine waters. Manila says the vessel was then joined by two Chinese coast guard ships, showing that it is part of a government-backed mission. Manila also said three Taiwan coast guard ships were also in the area. The incident comes amid increasing tensions at sea between China and its neighbors, along with several other recent clashes between coast guard ships and fishing vessels from other countries.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to shadow the Chinese research vessel JIA HAI KE 7 and its two China Coast Guard (CCG) escorts. The CRV has moved north from its earlier loitering position toward the outer limit of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Luzon Strait.
As the CRV moved into these waters, three Taiwan Coast Guard vessels were also deployed to the area. This morning, they were operating near BRP TERESA MAGBANUA, the PCG's largest cutter, which remains on station. TCG 1001 was 0.89 nautical miles off MRRV-9701's port bow. TCG 1002 was 1.18 nautical miles off her port bow, and TCG 126 was 5.45 nautical miles off her port bow.
As of today, BRP TERESA MAGBANUA is shadowing the three Chinese vessels. JIA HAI KE 7 is lying-to 8.45 nautical miles off her port side. CCG 2503 is underway 3.2 nautical miles off her port side, and CCG 14608 is underway 7.84 nautical miles off her port bow.
The Chinese government sent two CCG vessels to stay with a supposedly private research ship all the way to the outer limit of the Philippine EEZ. This shows again that JIA HAI KE 7 is not operating on its own. A government law enforcement fleet does not escort a commercial survey ship unless that ship's mission serves the interests of the state.
The presence of other maritime law enforcement vessels in the area also shows that concern over this vessel goes beyond the Philippines. JIA HAI KE 7 is a seabed-survey ship that held station for four days in waters crossed by critical submarine cable corridors. It also spoofed its AIS position to hide its movements. The safety of undersea communications infrastructure in the Luzon Strait matters to the entire region that depends on it.
The PCG reiterates that no consent was requested or given for JIA HAI KE 7 to conduct marine scientific research in the Philippine EEZ, as required under Article 246 of UNCLOS and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
BRP TERESA MAGBANUA will remain in the area and continue to shadow and monitor the CRV and the CCG vessels. The PCG will continue to track JIA HAI KE 7 through its coastal monitoring stations, the Dark Vessel Detection system, and maritime domain awareness flights to make sure it does not return to Philippine waters to resume unauthorized activities.
This mission is in accordance with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to protect the country's maritime domain and not to tolerate any unauthorized foreign research within Philippine waters.
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