MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday that at least 40 Chinese vessels were monitored in waters surrounding the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea, including a research ship allegedly conducting unauthorized activities inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
In a statement, the PCG said its aerial surveillance team aboard Islander aircraft 4177 spotted the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 33 west of Rozul Reef on Wednesday.
Authorities claimed the vessel was engaged in marine scientific research operations without Philippine authorization. The ship was reportedly seen deploying a smaller service boat near the reef while Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCGV 5309 loitered nearby.
The agency also recorded the presence of 13 Chinese maritime militia vessels anchored around the area.
According to the PCG, Xiang Yang Hong 33 left China on April 15 and has since been monitored conducting survey operations across several maritime features within the Philippine EEZ.
The vessel was reportedly observed near Ayungin Shoal, Escoda Shoal, Arellano Reef, Bulig Shoal, Panganiban Reef, Quirino Atoll, and Rozul Reef between April 20 and May 6.
The PCG further said the vessel’s tracking signals showed it moving from Jacinto Reef toward Diego Silang Reef beginning May 6.
Aside from the research ship, the Coast Guard also monitored 28 additional Chinese maritime militia vessels near Cay 1 and Cay 2 close to Pag-asa Island. Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5101 was likewise sighted roughly two nautical miles west of the island.
The PCG stressed that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, foreign governments must first secure permission before conducting marine scientific research within another state’s EEZ.
“The Philippines has not provided such consent to China for any marine scientific research activities in the area,” the agency said.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the Coast Guard would continue monitoring activities in the West Philippine Sea and challenge actions deemed illegal or harmful to Philippine sovereignty.
China continues to reject the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which declared that Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis under international law.
