China fisheries research ship spotted in PH archipelagic waters

This handout aerial photo taken on January 13, 2025 and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on January 14 shows Chinese Coast Guard ship 5901 sailing in the South China Sea. The Philippines said on January 14 it was alarmed by Chinese coast guard patrols which are growing closer to the country’s shore. The 165-metre (540-foot) ship was last located 143 kilometres (89 miles) west of Capones Island in Zambales province. (Photo by Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — One of China’s largest fisheries research ships was spotted “transiting” in the Philippines’ archipelagic waters, a United States maritime expert reported on Monday.

“The Lan Hai 101, one of  China’s two largest fisheries research ships, is now transiting the Philippines’ archipelagic waters. It appears to be en route to the Philippine Sea,” said Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, a program of Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation.

“Its companion, Lan Hai 201, continues to survey the Arabian Sea,” he further revealed on X (formerly Twitter).

Powell’s post includes a map indicating the purported locations of the Chinese ships.

The Lan Hai 101, 1 of 🇨🇳#China‘s 2 largest fisheries research ships, is now transiting the 🇵🇭#Philippines‘ archipelagic waters. It appears to be en route to the Philippine Sea.
Its companion, Lan Hai 201, continues to survey the Arabian Sea (see @detresfa_‘s post below).👇 https://t.co/wPsFuBB8Sp pic.twitter.com/cqxMYDFTXo

— Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay) February 10, 2025

INQUIRER.net sought the side of the Philippine Coast Guard regarding Powell’s tweet but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.