Chinese research vessel spotted at Escoda Shoal on Saturday
The Chinese research vessel Ke Xue San Hao was monitored at the northern part of Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese research vessel was spotted in the northern part of Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.
“As of 4 PM today, the Philippine Coast Guard has been actively monitoring the Multi-Purpose Oceanographic Research Vessel KE XUE SAN HAO through the Dark Vessel Detection Program,” said PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela in a statement.
It also passed directly behind BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) at approximately 5.5 nautical miles.
According to Tarriela, the vessel left Panganiban Reef on July 26 and passed through Ayungin Shoal, Raja Soliman Shoal, Bulig Shoal, Hasa Hasa Shoal, Abad Santos Shoal before reaching Escoda Shoal.
Ke Xue San Hao is designed by the Marine Design and Research Institute of China. The vessel can conduct marine environment observation, and analysis.
According to the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), Ke Xue was in the Philippine Rise, formerly known as Benham Rise, in January to conduct a collaborative study on ocean current systems with Filipino scientists.
Article continues after this advertisementUPMSI issued a “clarification” on the vessel’s mission amid reports that China was exploring Philippine Rise, a 13-million-hectare underwater plateau believed to be rich in resources.
Article continues after this advertisementA report by the Philippine Navy in July stated that the number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea decreased from July 16 to July 22.
According to the Navy, there were 80 China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warships, and Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels from July 16 to 22. This was less than the 105 CCC ships, PLA-N warships, and CMM vessels monitored from July 9 to 15.
In June, a ‘monster ship’ of the China Coast Guard was monitored near BRP Sierra Madre, a naval outpost grounded in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
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