Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea increased to 36 in past week

The number of Chinese vessels spotted in some West Philippine Sea (WPS) features has increased to 36 in the past week based on the data from Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said Tuesday.

This is higher compared to the 27 Chinese vessels recorded in the previous report.

From May 19 to 25, China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have been monitored in the following WPS features:

• Ayungin Shoal – 9 vessels (one PLAN, eight CCGs)
• Bajo de Masinloc – 19 vessels (10 PLANs, nine CCGs)
• Escoda Shoal – five vessels (two PLANs, three CCGs)
• Pag-asa Islands – three vessels (two PLANs, one CCG)

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 the 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 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 over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

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