AFP: 27 Chinese vessels spotted in WPS in past week

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said a total of 27 Chinese vessels were monitored in several West Philippine Sea (WPS) features from September 1 to 7.

In an update, AFP spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the vessels included those from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and China Coast Guard (CCG):

• Ayungin Shoal – one PLAN vessel, four CCG vessels
• Bajo de Masinloc – four PLAN vessels, 10 CCG vessels
• Escoda Shoal – three PLAN vessels, three CCG vessels
• Pag-asa Islands – two CCG vessels

Tensions in the region continue as Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a key route for more than US$3 trillion in annual shipborne trade, including waters claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

The Philippines refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the archipelago as the West Philippine Sea. The WPS includes the Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in its case challenging China's claims in the South China Sea, finding that there was "no legal basis" for China's claim to historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the so-called nine-dash line.

China has refused to recognize the ruling.— MCG, GMA News