China Anchors World’s Largest Coastguard Vessel In The Disputed South China Sea

The world’s largest coastguard vessel from China, CCG 5901, has docked in Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

According to PCG, the 165-meter, also called the “monster ship”, breached Manila’s 200-nautical mile EEZ on July 2, 2024, sending a message of intimidation to its smaller Asian neighbour.

At a press conference, Jay Tarriela, a PCG spokesperson, revealed that the 12,000-tonne vessel was radio-challenged and reminded that it was operating within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Chinese vessel was anchored 800 yards from a PCG ship and had deployed a small boat nearby.

Despite warnings, the PCG announced that it would not pull out or be intimidated.

The incident occurred following the PCG’s deployment to Sabina Shaol in May to confront China’s claimed small-scale reclamation, which Beijing rejected.

China has extensively reclaimed territory in the South China Sea, constructing military facilities that have raised concerns in Washington and across the region.

China claims control over the majority of the South China Sea, a crucial maritime route for $3 trillion in yearly trade, despite a 2016 verdict by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated its broad claims.

High-level discussions between the Philippines and China have recently emphasized the need to restore trust and rebuild confidence to manage maritime disputes more effectively.

Despite rising tensions with China, the Philippines has declined assistance offers from the United States, its treaty ally, preferring to tackle the matter independently.

Jay Tarriela also stated on X that the Chinese vessel was tracked down using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection technology after departing from Hainan on July 1 and entering the Philippines’ EEZ the next day.

The vessel remained anchored at Escoda Shoal for more than two days, maintaining a distance of less than 800 yards from a PCG vessel.

Conflicts between China and the Philippines have often occurred at the Second Thomas Shoal, a contested atoll within the EEZ.

China claims sovereignty over the reef despite the 2016 international tribunal ruling against its nine-dash line claims.

The Philippines anchored the BRP Sierra Madre on the reef in 1999 to assert its claims, but according to the International Crisis Group (ICG), the area remains a dangerous flashpoint.

Earlier this month, the China Coast Guard used forceful measures to prevent a resupply visit to the BRP Sierra Madre, heightening tensions.

Despite recent conversations aimed at rebuilding trust, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its determination to protect its sovereignty and interests in the South China Sea.

The International Crisis Group observed that maritime relations between China and the Philippines had been extremely volatile during the last seven months.

Reference: Reuters, Business Insider

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