30 Chinese military and coast guard vessels monitored in West Philippine Sea

Thirty Chinese military and coast guard vessels were monitored in the West Philippine Sea as of Monday, November 24.

Specific sightings include four Chinese warships and eight coast guard ships near Scarborough Shoal, seven vessels near Ayungin Shoal, six vessels at Escoda Shoal, and five China Coast Guard ships near Pag-asa Island.

Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, confirmed these observations.

Trinidad also stated that no aggressive actions have been recorded from the Chinese vessels.

The Navy anticipates a potential decrease in the number of Chinese ships due to the expected passage of Tropical Cyclone Verbena.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas also claimed by the Philippines and other nations, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines.