The Philippines said a huge Chinese coast guard ship, widely known as the “monster”, has returned to its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, prompting its own coast guard vessel to approach and issue a radio challenge.

A Philippine Coast Guard ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua, approached the 12,000-ton Chinese patrol ship’s “starboard side at close range, effectively hindering the China Coast Guard vessel’s attempts to move” towards the coastline of the western province of Zambales, spokesman Jay Tarriela said in a post on social media platform X late on Jan 11.

The Chinese “monster” ship has replaced another vessel, CCG 3304, in the area, he added.

The South-east Asian nation’s coast guard “has consistently communicated over the radio, reminding the Chinese crew that they are unlawfully operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and do not possess any legal authority to conduct maritime patrols”, Commodore Tarriela said. 

It is at least the second time in January that the Philippines has challenged the China Coast Guard vessel, CCG 5901, whose presence marks Beijing’s latest move to bolster its expansive claim to most of the South China Sea.

Bigger than a US Navy destroyer, CCG 5901 is armed with anti-aircraft guns and fuel storage capacities that allow it to undertake extended missions.

China’s state-run Global Times, in an opinion piece on Jan 10, said the Philippines’ “baseless accusations against China’s routine patrols near Huangyan Dao fundamentally lack legal and factual support”, referring to the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said last week that it is “beyond reproach” for the Chinese coast guard to “patrol and conduct law-enforcement activities in relevant waters”.

Beijing and Manila have been locked in a long-running dispute over the South China Sea, a major trade route with huge energy potential.

Clashes between the two nations’ ships have become more frequent as the government of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr deepened security ties with the US and other allies in a bid to assert its own claims. BLOOMBERG

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