PCG monitors Chinese research vessel off Batanes

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed an aircraft to monitor and challenge a Chinese research vessel seen within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) northeast of Batanes on Tuesday, April 15.

The PCG said the vessel, identified as Zhong Shan Da Xue, was spotted 78.21 nautical miles northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. It said it dispatched an aircraft to conduct aerial surveillance.

The coast guard said repeated attempts to establish radio communication with the Chinese vessel went unanswered.

The PCG also issued a radio challenge, asserting that the vessel was not authorized to conduct marine scientific research within the Philippines’ EEZ.

“This activity clearly contravenes the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” the PCG said in a statement.

Earlier this month, another Chinese research ship, Song Hang, was monitored 58 nautical miles east of Aborlan, Palawan as it transited through Philippine archipelagic waters en route to the Celebes Sea.