Philippine Coast Guard Shadows Chinese Research Vessel Operating Near Batanes

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is closely monitoring a Chinese research vessel detected operating within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), northeast of Batanes province.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan deployed the PCG Islander 4177 aircraft early Monday morning to surveil and confront the vessel identified as ZHONG SHAN DA XUE. At approximately 8:00 AM, the PCG aircraft located the Chinese vessel at coordinates 21°18.457’ N, 123°12.281’ E — about 78.21 nautical miles northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

According to the PCG, repeated attempts were made to establish radio communication with the vessel, but it failed to respond. During their radio challenge, PCG aviators asserted that the Chinese ship was unauthorized to conduct marine scientific research within the Philippine EEZ.

They emphasized that the vessel’s presence and activities were a violation of both the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act. The PCG stressed that any scientific expedition within the country’s maritime domain requires prior approval from Philippine authorities.

This incident adds to growing maritime tensions in the region, where the Philippines has repeatedly protested the unauthorized presence of Chinese vessels in its territorial and EEZ waters.

Officials have not confirmed whether further action will be taken, but the PCG has vowed to maintain surveillance and assert Philippine sovereignty in accordance with international and domestic laws.