The Philippine Coast Guard deployed an aircraft to challenge and document the Chinese research vessel Zhong Shan Da Xue operating within the country’s exclusive economic zone near Batanes. Commodore Jay Tarriela stated the ship entered the northern EEZ on April 2, remaining there apparently to conduct maritime scientific research.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) dispatched an aircraft to challenge a Chinese research vessel operating near Batanes, according to an announcement made on Monday by PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela during a press conference. PCG chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan issued instructions to document the actions of the vessel, Zhong Shan Da Xue.
Zhong Shan Da Xue Movement Near Batanes
According to Commodore Tarriela, the research ship departed Guangdong Province in China on March 31. The vessel measures 114 meters in length with a tonnage of 2,300, and entered the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the north on April 2 at approximately 9 p.m.
Since then on, it stayed within our own EEZ, which is seemingly conducting maritime scientific research because of its consistent patterns of navigation,
Tarriela said.
By 7 a.m. on Monday, the vessel was positioned 103.86 nautical miles from Itbayat, Batanes. GMA News Online reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Manila regarding the incident, but no statement had been provided as of posting time.
BRP Cabra Encounter Off Zambales
The deployment near Batanes follows a separate maritime incident on Saturday, when the PCG deployed the BRP Cabra after China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3302 was spotted operating close to the coast of Palauig, Zambales, at a distance of roughly 83 to 85 nautical miles.
Tarriela reported that CCG 3302 executed a dangerous maneuver against the Philippine vessel while the latter issued radio challenges. He noted the vast size discrepancy between the two ships, explaining that BRP Cabra only has an overall length of 44 meters, and the CCG has an approximation of 99 meters
and adding that you can just imagine how it would impact the possibility of collision.
That’s why through the seamanship skills of the PCG sailors, we were able to prevent such collision from happening.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea
Broader Maritime Tensions in the South China Sea
Beijing asserts claims over nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, a critical trade route that accommodates more than $3 trillion in annual shipborne commerce. These sweeping claims overlap with maritime territories asserted by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. To emphasize its sovereign rights, the Philippine government designated the western portions of its territory within the sea as the West Philippine Sea, encompassing the Luzon Sea and the waters surrounding the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration located in The Hague delivered a ruling in favor of the Philippines, concluding that China’s expansive territorial claims possessed no legal basis.
The Chinese government has consistently refused to recognize the ruling.
По теме
