PCG monitoring 2 Chinese research vessels within PH EEZ

MANILA, May 21 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is monitoring two Chinese research vessels that have entered the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The first vessel, Xiang Yang Hong, was spotted 180 nautical miles off the coast of Rizal, Palawan. It was first detected entering the Union Banks, a group of features in the Spratly Islands within the Philippine EEZ. “This research vessel is under the administration of the State Oceanic Administration. It is intended for use by the PLA [People’s Liberation Amry] Navy for oceanography. It has an overall length of 100 meters and [weighs] 4,500 tons,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, told reporters in a press briefing in Manila. 

Meanwhile, the second vessel, Tan Sou Er Hao, was monitored 130.5 nautical miles off the coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It entered the Philippine EEZ three days ago. “This Chinese research vessel is under the administration of the China Ocean Mineral Research and Development Association,” Tarriela said. 

The PCG has since deployed an aircraft to challenge the presence and monitor the movement of the two vessels, but both have not responded. The Chinese research ships have the capability to conduct deep-sea surveys. “We can just speculate about the real intent of the Chinese government why they are sending these Chinese research vessels. But one thing is clear: They are violating our EEZ and their marine scientific research is a violation of international law. We never permitted the Chinese government to conduct marine scientific research within our own EEZ. The Philippine government will always carry out operations to prevent them from doing so,” Tarriela noted. “These Chinese research vessels are always considered to be for dual use—it can be for scientific or civilian; it can also be used for military for the use of submarine navigation,” he continued. 

Tarriela also said that a third Chinese research vessel, Zhong Shan Da Xue, entered the Philippine EEZ on March 31 and returned to its origin in Guangdong province in China on May 20. “From the navigational pattern of this Chinese research vessel, the Chinese government cannot deny that what they are doing is, actually, a marine scientific research,” he said. 

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), foreign vessels must obtain prior authorization from coastal states before conducting marine scientific research in their EEZs. “It is a violation of part 13 of the Law of the Sea Convention. Part 13 authorizes the coastal state to regulate, authorize and conduct marine scientific research in the territorial sea and EEZ,” Dr. Jeffrey Ordaniel, president and CEO of the We Protect Our Seas organization, said. “So, ang presence ng Chinese research vessels without our consent and permission could be a violation of international law, particularly UNCLOS.” 

International affairs analyst Dr. Renato De Castro said there is an “element of grey zone operations” in China’s deployment of its research vessels to the Philippine EEZ. “The Chinese are showing to us that ‘we have the resources and capability to conduct surveys and explorations in your EEZ but you cannot do it to us,’” De Castro explained. “We cannot do it in their waters so far away from their coast, but they can do it near our coast. So, China is impressing upon us that ‘we are a great power; do not mess with us,’” he added. 

Source: news.asb-cbn.com