MANILA. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Saturday that China’s largest coastguard vessel has anchored within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, an act perceived as an intimidation tactic towards its smaller neighbor.
The 165-meter Chinese coastguard vessel, dubbed the ‘monster ship,’ entered Manila’s 200-nautical mile EEZ on July 2, according to PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela. Speaking at a news forum, Tarriela stated, “It’s an intimidation on the part of the China Coast Guard. We’re not going to pull out and we’re not going to be intimidated.”
The PCG warned the Chinese vessel that it was within the Philippines’ EEZ and inquired about their intentions. Despite the warning, the Chinese ship, which also deployed a smaller boat, remained anchored 800 yards away from the PCG’s vessel.
China’s embassy in Manila and the Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Chinese coastguard also lacks publicly available contact information.
This incident follows a recent deployment by the PCG to the Sabina Shoal in May to deter alleged small-scale reclamation activities by China, which Beijing denied. China has conducted extensive land reclamation on several islands in the South China Sea, constructing military facilities that have raised concerns in Washington and among regional neighbors.
China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a crucial waterway for $3 trillion of annual ship-borne trade. Beijing rejected the 2016 ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, which stated that China’s expansive maritime claims have no legal basis.
To ease tensions, the Philippines and China agreed on Tuesday during a high-level dialogue on the need to “restore trust” and “rebuild confidence” to better manage maritime disputes.
Despite recent tensions with China over resupply missions to Filipino troops on a contested shoal, the Philippines has declined offers from the United States, its treaty ally, to assist in operations in the South China Sea.
The presence of China’s ‘monster ship’ in Manila’s EEZ underscores the ongoing maritime disputes and the delicate balance of power in the South China Sea. As the situation develops, regional stability and international maritime law will continue to be tested.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
