Chinese vessels near Palawan, Philippine Navy monitors

A Chinese research vessel, Ke Xue San Hao, has been spotted near Escoda Shoal since Tuesday morning, navigating in a zigzag pattern that the Philippine Navy considers suspicious.

The Philippines is closely monitoring a China Coast Guard (CCG) 'monster ship' and another survey ship near Sabina Shoal, which lies 75 nautical miles off Palawan. The CCG ship was first spotted on July 30.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad clarified that the presence of the Chinese vessels is longer than usual but does not constitute a standoff, as the Philippines has deployed ships to monitor unusual coral activities in the area.

The Philippine Coast Guard continues to use dark vessel technology donated by Canada to track movements and challenges China's presence based on international law, while China's Foreign Ministry criticizes the Philippines for seeking security assurances from external forces like the US.

China claims more than 80% of the South China Sea, overlapping with exclusive economic zones of other Southeast Asian nations, leading to ongoing tensions in the region.