China protests PCG vessel's prolonged stay in Escoda Shoal

China has lodged a formal protest with the Philippines over the prolonged presence of the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal.

Escoda Shoal, a coral reef formation roughly 70 nautical miles off Palawan mainland, is deep within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China claims the Philippine vessel entered Escoda Shoal, which China calls Xianbin Jiao, without permission and has remained there, infringing on Chinese sovereignty.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that China has protested through diplomatic channels and asked the Philippines to stop its infringement activities and withdraw the vessel at once.

Chinese state-controlled media Global Times claimed that the Philippines is planning to send another ship at Escoda Shoal to join the BRP Teresa Magbanua in a 'joint anchoring,' seen as 'an attempt to construct a forward deployment base in the form of a semi-permanent floating platform.'

China stated it is closely monitoring the situation and will take resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold the sanctity of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).