PCG monitoring 2 Chinese research vessels within EEZ

The Philippine Coast Guard is currently tracking two Chinese research vessels presumed to be conducting unauthorized marine scientific research inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, PCG Spokesperson Jay Tarriela said on Tuesday, May 20.

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The first vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 302, was first detected entering the Union Banks, a group of features in the Spratlys Island within the Philippine EEZ, on Monday, May 19, Tarriela said.

The second vessel, Tan Sou Er Hao, was first monitored entering the Philippine EEZ three days ago.

The Coast Guard has since deployed aircraft to challenge the two vessels by radio, Tarriela said, but the Chinese vessels have not responded to any of the challenges.