In a startling development, China has deployed its massive China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901 vessel, dubbed “The Monster,” to Ayungin Shoal (also known as Second Thomas Shoal) before moving to Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This is despite a recent agreement with the Philippines to ease tensions in the Indo-Pacific region following the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea, which Manila hosted on Tuesday, July 2.
The CCG 5901, the largest coast guard ship in the world, was spotted again in Ayungin Shoal on Wednesday, before it was stationed at Panganiban Reef by the afternoon, according to the Philippine Navy.
During the BCM talks, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro reaffirmed the country’s commitment to uphold its sovereignty and the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Lazaro stated that the Philippines would “relentlessly protect its interests and uphold its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.”
In stark contrast, China’s response was to urge the Philippines to stop its alleged maritime infringement and provocation and adhere to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).
Beijing called for both nations to manage the situation at Ayungin Shoal, referred to as Ren’ai Jiao by China, through dialogue and consultation. However, the deployment of the CCG 5901 underscores China’s ongoing assertiveness in the region.
This ship’s presence suggests a strategic maneuver by China to assert its dominance and challenge Philippine sovereignty despite the BCM talks, according to former US Air Force official Ray Powell, who has been tracking the movement of Chinese vessels in the disputed waters.
CCG 5901 was last spotted in Ayungin Shoal on June 24. Its voyage in the WPS started following the June 17 violent incident in the shoal involving Chinese and Filipino personnel, resulting in one Filipino navy officer losing his thumb.
Ayungin Shoal lies about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island. Panganiban Reef, on the other hand, is located 250 kilometres (130 miles) west of Palawan.
Powell noted that China’s monster ship had conducted an intrusive patrol in Ayungin Shoal alongside the smaller CCG 5203. The CCG 5901, measuring 165 meters, has a history of provocative patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
He observed that China’s deployment of the vessel during the BCM talks appeared to be a strategic move to force the Philippines into a position of relative weakness, hoping to extract concessions in exchange for de-escalation.
“China aims to force the Philippines to negotiate from a position of relative weakness in hopes of extracting concessions in exchange for de-escalation,” he added.
Reports from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) indicated that the CCG 5901 had navigated through various disputed areas in the WPS, including Pagasa Island, Zamora Reef, and Bajo de Masinloc. It was reportedly stationed at Mischief Reef by Wednesday afternoon, according to Philippine Navy.
The Philippines, meanwhile, remains steadfast in its stance. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has emphasized the nation’s commitment to peaceful dialogue, but not at the cost of its sovereign rights.
“We are committed to peace and stability and we will do whatever we can to promote that without sacrificing our sovereign rights. We have championed a consistent position,” Manalo stated.
Manalo reiterated that maritime claims in the South China Sea cannot extend beyond the boundaries established by international law.
His optimism is grounded in the legal support of the 2016 arbitral award, which aligns with international maritime law against China’s expansive claims.