Philippine Armed Forces spot 56 Chinese vessels in its waters in the South China Sea
Kuala Lumpur, Aug 1 (KUNA) -- The Philippine Armed Forces announced on Tuesday that it had detected 56 Chinese vessels in four locations within its waters in the South China Sea last August, amid ongoing tensions stemming from overlapping maritime claims in the region. The Philippine news network GMA News quoted Armed Forces spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Vice Admiral Roy Trinidad, as saying that the number of Chinese ships had risen compared to July, when 48 vessels were detected.
Trinidad clarified that the Philippine forces spotted 56 Chinese ships in August, including 18 near Ayungin Shoal, of which 17 belonged to the Chinese Coast Guard and one to the People’s Liberation Army Navy. He added that 23 Chinese vessels were detected in the Scarborough Shoal area, comprising 14 Chinese Coast Guard ships and nine Chinese Navy vessels. Nine Chinese ships were also spotted near Escoda Shoal, including five Chinese Coast Guard vessels and four Chinese Navy ships.
The vice admiral stated that six Chinese vessels were detected near Pag-asa Island, consisting of five Chinese Coast Guard ships and one Chinese Navy vessel.
Tensions continue in the disputed area, with China claiming sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a waterway through which more than $3 trillion in annual maritime trade passes. The sea also contains areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
The Philippine government has designated parts of the South China Sea within its jurisdiction as the “West Philippine Sea.” This term refers to maritime areas west of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea, the waters surrounding and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group, and the Scarborough Shoal area.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines regarding China’s claims in the South China Sea, determining that they “have no legal basis.” China has refused to recognize the ruling. (End)
