China's deployment of 'monster' ship triggers alarm bells

A Philippine security official stated that China's increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea are "cornering" the Philippines, and warned that Manila is putting "all options on the table" in response, including filing new international legal cases. The official's remarks reflect growing concerns in the Philippines about China's activities in the region.

Speaking at a news conference, the Philippine official said that a large Chinese coast guard vessel was recently seen patrolling near the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal before sailing towards the northwestern coast of the Philippines on Tuesday, coming as close as 77 nautical miles (143 kilometers) from the coastline. The Philippines considers the actions of the Chinese coast guard vessel as an infringement on its sovereignty.

“It is unacceptable that this huge vessel is within Philippine waters, 77 nautical miles from our coastline, and so the Chinese government should immediately pull it out,” said Jonathan Malaya, assistant director-general of the National Security Council, alongside senior military and coast guard officials. Malaya also stated, "You are cornering us," and emphasized that the Philippines will not be intimidated. "We will not be cowed or intimidated. On the contrary, it strengthens our resolve because we know that we are right."

Chinese officials in Beijing responded by asserting that China's sovereignty in the South China Sea is indisputable, and that its coast guard patrols are legitimate and reasonable. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jia Kun, when asked about Malaya's comments at a regular press briefing, said, "We once again urge the Philippines to immediately stop all acts of infringement, provocation, and malicious hype." The Chinese government has repeatedly accused the Philippines and other rival claimants, including Vietnam and Malaysia, of encroaching on what it calls its "indisputable" Chinese territorial waters.

Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela stated that two Philippine coast guard vessels, supported by a small reconnaissance plane, repeatedly ordered the 165-meter Chinese coast guard ship to leave the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (a 370-kilometer stretch of water). "What we are doing there is to challenge the illegal presence of the China coast guard every moment, every day, to let the international community know that we will not allow China to normalize their illegal deployment," Tarriela said.

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in mid-2022, the Philippines has actively defended its territorial interests in the South China Sea, a crucial global trade route. This has led to frequent confrontations between Philippine forces and Chinese coast guard, navy, and suspected militia vessels, and has raised concerns that a larger armed conflict could draw in the United States, a long-time ally of the Philippines and a regional rival of China. This imbalance of power has prompted the Philippines to seek security arrangements with other Asian and Western countries, including Australia and Japan.