178 Chinese vessels in WPS, 17 warships near Scarborough Shoal

The Philippine Navy reported 178 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week, with 17 warships and two research and survey vessels near Scarborough Shoal.

Over the same period, Chinese maritime militia and coast guard ships remained active, with 28 China Coast Guard and 131 Chinese maritime militia vessels present in WPS features.

China conducted naval exercises around Scarborough Shoal over the weekend, coinciding with joint maritime activities by defense forces of several countries including the Philippines, United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Despite these maneuvers, Philippine military spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla stated that the multilateral exercise proceeded as planned without any interference or danger to participating ships.

Tensions persist in the region as China continues to claim almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea, despite an international court ruling against its assertions.