Philippines Reported Over 135 Chinese Vessels Swarming Near Whitsun Reef in South China Sea

The Philippines coastguard stated on Sunday that more than 135 Chinese ships were “swarming” a reef off the Philippines’ coast in the South China Sea amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

On Sunday, coastguard officials described an “alarming development” in the increasing number of boats along the coast of Whitsun Reef, also known as Julian Felipe Reef in the Philippines.

Chinese Vessel — Image Credits: Jay Tarriela/Twitter

In recent weeks, the number of Chinese boats has surged. When the coastguard dispatched two patrol boats to the region, officials reported that the total number of vessels was up to 135 from 111 on November 13.

Zero response was given to the radio challenges issued by the Philippines Coast Guard [PCG] to the CMM vessels, which are currently believed to have increased to over 135 vessels dispersed within the boomerang-shaped Julian Felipe Reef, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

The Chinese boats were scattered in the Whitsun Reef, more than 1,000 kilometres from the closest major Chinese mainland of Hainan Island and around 320 kilometres (200 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, including islands and waters close to its neighbours’ borders, and has defied an international tribunal ruling that its claim has no legal basis.

The Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam have claimed islands and reefs in the sea, which are thought to hold vast petroleum deposits deep beneath its seas.

China and the Philippines have been involved in a number of conflicts this year, with Manila accusing Beijing of aggressively asserting its claim to nearly the entire South China Sea under the nine-dash line.

Earlier this month, two ships from the two countries came dangerously close to colliding near Second Thomas Shoal, also within Manila’s exclusive economic zone. According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (abbreviated UNCLOS), that zone extends 200 nautical miles from a country’s coast.

When China acquired control of Scarborough Shoal, the Philippines filed its argument with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Despite the court favouring the Philippines, Beijing continued to refuse to recognize the decision. It increased its claims to the waters by constructing artificial islands, increasing military outposts, and sending its coastguard, marine militia, and fishing fleet.

References: Aljazeera

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