World · Malaysia Bureau
Philippines reports sharp increase in Chinese vessels in disputed waters
Manila said it tracked nearly double the number of Chinese naval and coast guard ships in contested areas of the South China Sea in September. The vessels were detected near Philippine-controlled and Chinese-held outposts in the strategically vital region.
LSN Malaysia ·
The Philippine government reported a significant surge in Chinese maritime activity across disputed waters in the South China Sea last month, with monitoring agencies tracking 101 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels operating in key contested areas.
The vessels were detected in waters surrounding Philippine-held positions including Thitu Island and Second Thomas Shoal, as well as near Sabina Shoal and the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal. The concentration of ships represents a substantial increase in Beijing's visible military and paramilitary presence in the region.
The deployment underscores ongoing tensions in one of the world's most contested maritime zones, where multiple claimants including the Philippines, China, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian nations assert overlapping territorial and maritime rights. The Second Thomas Shoal and Thitu Island are among the most strategically important features claimed by Manila in its extended continental shelf.
The presence of large numbers of Chinese vessels has long been a flashpoint for diplomatic friction between Manila and Beijing, with Filipino officials expressing concern over the assertive positioning near their claimed territories. The reported increase in September highlights the persistent military dimension of territorial disputes in the South China Sea.