The Philippine Navy stated on Friday (January 17) that its vessels are conducting exercises near the disputed Scarborough Shoal (Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island in China).
According to the Navy’s statement, the exercises around Scarborough Shoal are scheduled to take place from January 17 to 19, aimed at enhancing the Navy’s capability to protect Philippine waters and territorial integrity.
The Navy referred to this exercise as a “routine unilateral exercise,” with participating vessels including the Antonio Luna frigate, and two other patrol vessels operating in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard continues to challenge the largest Chinese coast guard ship, which has been illegally patrolling within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, through radio communications. China’s coast guard ship 5901 arrived at Huangyan Island on January 1.
In a statement on Thursday evening, the Coast Guard said: “If China (PRC) is truly committed to easing tensions and genuinely seeking to promote mutual trust and cooperation between our countries… the Chinese (PRC) government must respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines in our Exclusive Economic Zone.”
The area around Huangyan Island is one of the most controversial maritime regions in the South China Sea. China claims extensive territorial waters in this important sea trade route, including the Exclusive Economic Zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal ruled that China’s claims, based on historical maps, had no legal basis under international law. However, China has not accepted this ruling.
In the tenth round of bilateral mechanisms negotiations aimed at resolving South China Sea issues, both China and the Philippines agreed to enhance communication and deepen dialogue, but also exchanged accusations over recent standoffs.
Both sides have pledged to advance cooperation in the Coast Guard and marine science, while also committing to peacefully resolve the relevant issues.
(Reference to Reuters report)