The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is closely monitoring the movement of two Chinese research vessels that entered the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), raising fresh concerns over Beijing's activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

As of Thursday noon, the Chinese vessels Zhu Hai Yun and Xiang Yang Hong were detected 195.94 and 192.95 nautical miles, respectively, off the coast of Rizal, Palawan, according to PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela. 

In a virtual interview, Tarriela said the vessels departed from Guangdong Province on 23 June and entered the Philippine EEZ Thursday morning, 31 July. Both ships were observed near Balagtas Reef.

“These two Chinese research vessels, umikot sa Balagtas Reef. Nitong umaga, both entered at the west coast of Luzon and nagtungo sa Balagtas Reef,” Tarriela told reporters.

While the exact nature of their operations remains unclear, the PCG has yet to confirm whether the vessels are conducting marine scientific research, an activity that requires prior approval from the Philippine government under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Continuous ang paggalaw nitong mga Chinese research vessel,” Tarriela noted. “We have already alerted our CG district in Palawan, and the commandant has also directed the deployment of a PCG vessel to ensure na mamonitor natin ang ginagawa ng mga Chinese research vessel na ito.”

Tarriela added that if evidence proves the ships are conducting unauthorized research, the PCG will document and report the activities to the appropriate agencies for potential legal and diplomatic action.

Under UNCLOS, coastal states like the Philippines have sovereign rights over the natural resources within their EEZ and must authorize any marine scientific activity by foreign entities.

CCG returns to Scarborough Shoal

In a related development, the PCG also reported the return of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships to the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) after a temporary absence due to recent stormy weather.

Three Chinese ships — bow numbers 4203, 5303, and 3502 — were sighted in the area on Thursday morning, Tarriela confirmed.

“Right now, dahil umayos na ang karagatan sa West Philippine Sea, the PCG is monitoring the presence of 3 CCG vessels na bumalik na sa vicinity ng Bajo de Masinloc,” he said. 

“Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has deployed our CCG vessel to carry out our maritime law enforcement patrol dito,” he added. 

Previously, Philippine military spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, confirmed that no Chinese ships were seen in the area on 19 and 20 July, when Severe Tropical Storm Crising and intensified the southwest monsoon lashed the region. 

Bajo de Masinloc lies just 124 nautical miles off Zambales and falls well within the Philippines’ EEZ. 

In contrast, it is 472 nautical miles from China’s nearest landmass, Hainan Island. Despite this, the shoal has been under de facto Chinese control since 2012, following a tense maritime standoff.

The PCG reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Philippine sovereign rights in its maritime zones and maintaining a consistent presence in contested waters.