PCG alarmed over increase of Chinese research ships in PH EEZ

The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday expressed alarm over the “significant increase” of Chinese research ships spotted within the Philippine exclusive economic zone this year.

“Ngayong 2025, ang alarming na para sa amin, may significant increase, is the higher number of Chinese research vessels na pumapasok sa EEZ natin,” PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela told Dobol B TV in an interview.

(Now in 2025, what is alarming for us is the significant increase or higher number of Chinese research vessels entering our EEZ.)

“I still don't have the exact data. But for example, itong nakaraang buwan ng July, we actually monitored four Chinese research vessels. Isa lang 'yung Xiang Yang Hong 05 doon sa apat na mino-monitor natin. So imagine kung every month meron tayong three or four, it is still alarming. That means meron tayong incursion of Chinese research vessels of almost 20 to 22,” he added.

(I still don't have the exact data. But for example, this last July, we actually monitored four Chinese research vessels. Xiang Yang Hong 05 is just one of the four that we monitored. So imagine if every month we have three or four, it is still alarming. That means we have an incursion of Chinese research vessels of almost 20 to 22,” he added.

Xiang Yang Hong 05 was tracked approximately 37 nautical miles off the coast of Sta. Ana, Cagayan on Sunday.

According to the PCG, the Chinese ship conducted substantial marine scientific research for almost 22 days after departing the Philippine EEZ and before re-entering. This research occurred along a parallel track in the Pacific Ocean, close to Guam at a distance of 42 nautical miles. 

The PCG said Xiang Yang Hong 05 is a research vessel that was converted from a cargo ship and deployed to sensitive maritime zones to support People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operations. 

Xiang Yang Hong 05 exited the Philippine EEZ on Sunday evening, according to Tarriela.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including 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 over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision.—AOL, GMA Integrated News