The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported on Tuesday that it has monitored 203 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) over the past week, marking the highest number recorded this year. This surge in Chinese presence includes 165 Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels, 24 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, 12 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, and two research vessels, all observed between August 27 and September 2.
"This is the highest we have recorded in the vicinity of our nine occupied features in WPS for this year," stated Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad. He noted that while this increase is unusual, it is still within the operational capabilities that China could project in the South China Sea (SCS) and WPS.
Locations of Chinese Vessels in WPS
The Chinese vessels were spotted near several key features in the WPS:
- Bajo de Masinloc: 6 CCGs, 1 PLAN, 8 CMMs, 1 research vessel
- Ayungin Shoal: 8 CCGs, 1 PLAN, 17 CMMs
- Pagasa Islands: 1 CCG, 1 PLAN, 50 CMMs
- Kota Island: 1 CMM
- Rizal Reef: 1 research vessel
- Escoda Shoal: 9 CCGs, 9 PLANs, 53 CMMs
- Iroquois Reef: 36 CMMs
Escoda Shoal saw the highest concentration of Chinese vessels, where recent aggressive incidents involving China were reported. These include a China Coast Guard vessel allegedly ramming the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) BRP Teresa Magbanua, and other confrontations involving water cannons and blockades.
Rising Tensions and Philippine Response
The Philippine government has condemned the aggressive actions and is considering lodging another arbitral case against China over the latest incidents at Escoda Shoal. Tensions have remained high as China continues to assert its expansive claims over the South China Sea, a crucial waterway for global trade valued at over $3 trillion annually.
Rear Admiral Trinidad emphasized that the increase in Chinese vessels does not justify their illegal presence or aggressive actions. "The Philippine Navy - and the AFP - will continue to perform its mandate to protect our territory as we uphold international law and contribute to regional peace and stability," he said.
The Philippines and China, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, have overlapping claims in the South China Sea. In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China's claims had "no legal basis." However, China has not recognized the ruling and continues to assert its claims in the region.
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