China has continued to assert its presence in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by anchoring its largest coast guard vessel, CCG 5901, near Sabina Shoal, approximately 130 kilometers off the coast of Palawan.
This action has been met with strong opposition from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which reported the incident on July 5.
PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela described the deployment of the CCG 5901 as an act of intimidation against the smaller BRP Teresa Magbanua, further heightening tensions in the disputed waters. Beijing, however, maintains that its actions are lawful.
“To patrol and conduct law enforcement activities by Chinese military and Coast Guard vessels in the waters near Xianbin Jiao is within China’s domestic law and international law, including UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” stated Lin Jian, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, on Monday, July 8.
Despite the 2016 Arbitral Award that affirmed Sabina Shoal is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ as per UNCLOS, China insists that the area, which it refers to as Xianbin Jiao, is part of its Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands). Lin reiterated this claim, dismissing the Philippines’ assertions of sovereignty over the shoal.
This is the latest in a series of aggressive actions by China aimed at consolidating its claims over the West Philippine Sea, a portion of the South China Sea that the Philippines rightfully considers its own.