South China Sea: Philippines says over 135 Chinese boats ‘swarming’ reef off its coast

The Philippines said Sunday more than 135 Chinese vessels were “swarming” a reef off its coast, describing the boats’ growing presence as “alarming”.

The Chinese boats were “dispersed and scattered” within the boomerang-shaped Whitsun Reef, which the Philippines calls Julian Felipe Reef, around 320km (200 miles) west of Palawan Island, the coastguard said.

Whitsun Reef is more than 1,000km from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan island.

The Philippines said it counted 111 “Chinese maritime militia vessels” (CMM) on November 13. When the coastguard deployed two patrol boats to the area on Saturday the number had increased to “more than 135”, the force said.

“No response was made to the radio challenges issued by the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) to the CMM vessels which is now estimated to have grown to more than 135 vessels dispersed and scattered within Julian Felipe Reef,” Manila’s coastguard said, describing the boats’ presence as “alarming” and “illegal”.

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Marcos Jnr says China showing interest in South China Sea atolls that lie close to the Philippines

Marcos Jnr says China showing interest in South China Sea atolls that lie close to the Philippines

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, including waters and islands close to the shores of its neighbours, and has ignored an international tribunal decision that its assertion has no legal basis.

It deploys vessels to patrol the waters, and has built artificial islands and military installations to reinforce its stance.

The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have also staked claims to various islands and reefs in the sea, which is believed to have rich petroleum reserves deep beneath its waters.

The coastguard released images Sunday which it said showed Chinese vessels lined up in formation while others were scattered around the waters.

In 2021, a similar incident involving more than 200 Chinese vessels at the reef sparked a diplomatic row between Manila and Beijing.

Philippines to track China vessels in South China Sea with new station

At the time, Manila insisted their incursion into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone was unlawful.

But China insisted they were fishing boats sheltering from bad weather and were allowed to be there.

The Philippines announced Friday that it was establishing a coastguard station on the largest island it holds in the South China Sea to improve the monitoring of Chinese vessels.

The coastguard station would be equipped with “advanced systems”, including radar, satellite communication, coastal cameras and vessel traffic management, National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said during a visit to Thitu Island.

The station has been built and is expected to be operational early next year.