The Philippine Coast Guard reported that China’s largest coastguard vessel has anchored in Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea in an attempt to intimidate its smaller Asian neighbor. The vessel, measuring 165 meters, entered the Philippines’ EEZ on July 2. The PCG warned the Chinese vessel of its presence and asked about its intentions but received no immediate response from China’s embassy or foreign ministry.
The Chinese ship, accompanied by a small boat, was stationed 800 yards from the PCG’s vessel. This move by China comes after the PCG deployed a ship to the Sabina shoal in May to prevent small-scale reclamation activities by China. China has been conducting extensive land reclamation in the South China Sea, raising concerns among neighboring countries and Washington.
China claims most of the South China Sea as its own territory, ignoring the 2016 ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that deemed its maritime claims invalid. Following a high-level dialogue, the Philippines and China agreed to work towards restoring trust and rebuilding confidence in managing maritime disputes.
Despite tensions, the Philippines has declined offers from the United States, its treaty ally, to assist in operations in the South China Sea. This decision was made even after a dispute with China over resupply missions to Filipino troops on a contested shoal.
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