4 weeks ago
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The Philippine Coast Guard said connected Thursday (May 7, 2026) it deployed craft to contented vigor warnings to a Chinese probe vessel successful a disputed country of the South China Sea "swarming" with vessels from Beijing's alleged maritime militia.
Also Read | Philippines accuses China of poisoning disputed waters
The probe vas Xiang Yang Hong 33, which is susceptible of supporting submersible craft, was operating adjacent a reef successful the contested Spratly Islands chain, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
The Chinese vessel was deploying a work vessel towards the Spratlys' Iroquois Reef connected Wednesday erstwhile it was spotted by a Coast Guard plane, "confirming ongoing unauthorized (marine technological research) operations", it said successful a statement.
Iroquois Reef is located astatine the confederate extremity of Reed Bank, an country successful the Spratlys thought to beryllium affluent successful earthy state and oil.
During the flight, Manila's Coast Guard besides spotted 41 "maritime militia vessels" anchored successful waters surrounding Iroquois Reef and Philippine-occupied Thitu Island, location to astir 400 Filipinos and a caller seashore defender station.
"The Philippines has not granted specified consent to the (People's Republic of China) for immoderate (marine technological research) activities successful these waters," the Coast Guard said.
"The beingness of the probe vas and the large-scale swarming by Chinese Maritime Militia vessels correspond a superior infringement connected Philippine sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction."
Beijing's Embassy successful Manila pointed to its "historic rights" and said successful reply that the applicable islands and reefs successful question were Chinese territory.
It said China's technological probe vessels conducted each of their missions successful accordance with planetary law.
The Xiang Yang Hong 33, which near China much than 3 weeks ago, has been monitored conducting surveys adjacent assorted Philippine-claimed features successful the Spratlys, including the flashpoint Sabina Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal.
Beijing claims astir the full South China Sea, contempt an planetary ruling that its assertion has nary ineligible basis, and defends its actions against Philippine vessels arsenic lawful and proportional.
It has been deploying navy, seashore defender and maritime militia forces — allegedly Chinese sportfishing vessels — successful a bid to barroom the Philippines from strategically important reefs and islands successful the disputed waterway.
