The Pacific Brief

SND Gilberto Teodoro Jr says Chinese framing Balikatan as a form of militarization of the region is confusing since it comes from a country run by a dictatorship where the military is used to suppress their own citizens.

Statement by China Coast Guard Spokesperson Jiang Lue, spokesperson of the China Coast Guard(CCG), stated that, on May 6, a Philippine Coast Guard Islander aircraft deliberately approached and harassed China’s scientific research vessel Xiangyanghong 33, which was conducting a legitimate marine ecological survey in the waters near China’s Houteng Jiao. The CCG tracked and monitored the aircraft and handled the situation in accordance with laws and regulations to ensure safe operations of the Chinese vessel. The CCG’s maneuvers were professional and standardized throughout the whole process. The allegations by the Philippine side are mere distortion of facts and intended to mislead the public. We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately stop illegal harassment, smearing and inflammatory propaganda. The CCG will continue to conduct rights-protection and law enforcement operations in waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law, and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of China’s scientific survey operations and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

PCG Aircraft Challenges Illegal Chinese MSR and Maritime Militia Swarming in KIG The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted a routine Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight yesterday in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) specifically to challenge illegal Marine Scientific Research (MSR) activities being conducted by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). During the flight, PCG Islander 4177 observed the Chinese oceanographic research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 33 stationary approximately 7.34 nautical miles west of Rozul Reef. The vessel was actively deploying a service boat heading toward the reef, confirming ongoing unauthorized MSR operations. At the same location, one Chinese Coast Guard vessel (CCGV BN 5309) was monitored loitering in the western part of Rozul Reef, while 13 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels (CMMVs) were anchored in the surrounding waters. Based on Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) system, Xiang Yang Hong 33 departed China on 15 April and has been systematically conducting survey activities across multiple features within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. It was monitored at Ayungin Shoal from 20 to 22 April, accompanied by support vessels YUE XIA YU ZHI 20027 and 20026. The vessel then moved to Escoda Shoal from 22 to 28 April, conducted operations near Arellano Reef and Bulig Shoal from 28 April to 1 May, was monitored inside Panganiban Reef from 1 to 3 May, and operated at Quirino Atoll and Rozul Reef from 3 to 6 May. Since 6 May, the vessel has been tracked via AIS moving from Jacinto Reef to Diego Silang Reef. Later in the same MDA flight, while approaching Pag-asa Island, the PCG aircraft further monitored 28 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels anchored alongside one another and scattered around Cay 1 and Cay 2. One Chinese Coast Guard vessel (CCG 5101) was observed positioned approximately 2 nautical miles west of Pag-asa Island. These activities constitute a clear and blatant violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Under UNCLOS, marine scientific research within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of a coastal state may be conducted only with the express consent of that state. The Philippines has not granted such consent to the PRC for any MSR activities in these waters. The presence of the research vessel and the large-scale swarming by Chinese Maritime Militia vessels represent a serious infringement on Philippine sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction. “The PCG, in compliance with the firm stand of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., remains steadfast in exercising our mandate to monitor and protect the Philippines’ maritime domain in accordance with international law,” said PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan. “We will continue to conduct lawful MDA operations and will continue to challenge any illegal activities that undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights.”