High-resolution satellite images show a group of Chinese navy vessels in the Philippine Sea as reports say Beijing has deployed dozens of warships across east Asia
The reef is considered to be within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which gives the nation full rights to the reef. But that hasn’t stopped the People’s Republic of China from asserting its presence over the years, and now Beijing seems to be ramping that presence up.spokesperson Wang Wenbin said recently that these ships were just fishing vessels seeking calm seas and shelter from weather in Chinese waters.
“It is reasonable and lawful for Chinese fishing boats to operate and take shelter in the waters,” Wenbin said. “The Philippine side should not make irresponsible remarks on that.”
The director of SeaLight, Ray Powell, which tracks maritime gray-zone activities in the South China Sea, said the placing of these vessels around the Whitsun Reef is Beijing’s attempt to normalize its presence and expand its reach, encroaching on the coastlines of neighboring nations.
“Mostly what China is trying to do is, over the years, get everyone accustomed to the idea that China is here and you can’t get rid of them,” Powell told SkyFi. “The idea being they will slowly expand their scope and reach to the edges of their nine-line claim and almost up to the coastline of their neighbors.”
The Philippine Coast Guard said the fishing vessels ignored radio calls from its patrols, which were sent to document their “illegal presence.”
