PCG detects 3 Chinese research ships in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines, August 1 ------ Three Chinese research ships were found navigating the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported. Bei Diao 996 was last detected “about 40 nautical miles west of Bajo de Masinloc” – also called Panatag or Scarborough Shoal – while Xiang Yang Hong 10 and Zhuhai Yun were seen “currently positioned 195 nautical miles off the coast of Rizal, Palawan,” according to a statement from PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues Commodore Jay Tarriela.

The agency used the Dark Vessel Detection Program provided by the government of Canada. The three ships left separate ports in China’s Guangdong province in mid-June this year, he noted. Bei Diao 996 was suspected of engaging in illegal marine scientific research off Panatag Shoal, while Xiang Yang Hong 10 and Zhuhai Yun were allegedly conducting similar operations near Balagtas Reef off the coast of mainland Palawan, said Tarriela. Tarriela described Bei Diao 996 as “China’s largest test ship for deep-sea operations and the world’s largest SWATH catamaran, designed for stable performance in adverse weather, specializing in testing underwater acoustic sensors and sonar equipment.”

Meanwhile, Xiang Yang Hong 10 was known to be “capable of deep-sea surveys and supporting unmanned autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for seafloor mapping and environmental monitoring.” On the other hand, Zhuhai Yun was “world’s first intelligent unmanned drone carrier, designed for oceanographic research but has significant military dual-use potential, including mapping submarine routes and deploying smart mines.”

PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has ordered personnel “to intercept and challenge them” for performing research inside the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, according to Tarriela.

Source: philstar.com