The Philippines recently reported the presence of a Chinese navy ship and a significant number of militia vessels near a disputed Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea, further fueling territorial tensions in the region. The Philippine Coast Guard observed 42 vessels believed to be crewed by Chinese maritime militia personnel in the proximity of Thitu island, while a Chinese navy vessel and coast guard ship were seen slowly loitering in the surrounding waters. The Chinese embassy in Manila has not yet responded to the claim. Thitu is the largest and strategically crucial outpost in the South China Sea for Manila, which controls the island to maintain its territorial claim. The island, also known as Pag-asa, is situated about 300 miles west of the western Philippine province of Palawan and is home to over 400 people, including military and law enforcement personnel. In recent years, the Chinese regime’s fishing fleet and coast guard have been found to be central to its strategic goals in the South China Sea, with a persistent presence that complicates fishing and offshore energy activities by other coastal countries. The Philippines has filed 77 complaints against China’s activities in the sea, including a claim to China’s use of a military-grade laser against a Philippine coast guard ship in February 2019.
Chinese navy ship seen near contested island, Philippines reports.
