Philippine vessel provokes tensions near China's Huangyan Dao, threatens CCG vessels' safety

On Tuesday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel 9701 deliberately executed multiple dangerous and provocative maneuvers against China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels 21550 and 5009, gravely endangering the safety of Chinese maritime patrol operations in the area.

According to on-site video footage obtained by Global Times correspondents embedded with Chinese law enforcement operations near Huangyan Dao, PCG 9701, while escorting two vessels from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, repeatedly crossed the stern of the CCG ships at high speeds and dangerously close distances, at times coming within just 100 meters. The PCG vessel conducted abrupt, large-angle turns during its maneuvers, exhibiting erratic and aggressive navigation patterns over a sustained 30-minute period.

Experts have sharply criticized the action as "extremely egregious." Yang Xiao, a maritime affairs expert at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, noted that the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 9701 has a displacement of 2,300 tons, while the CCG vessels 21550 and 5009 are both in the hundred-ton class. Despite this significant size difference, Yang pointed out that the 9701 repeatedly made sharp turns at close range during the Chinese vessels' law enforcement operation, at times coming within just 100 meters of the Chinese ships. Such actions of the Philippine vessel are highly dangerous and deliberately provocative, he said.

"If a collision were to occur, the consequences would be unimaginable," Yang warned.

The Philippine side's behavior marks a clear escalation from previous provocations, Yang said. In light of the Philippines' recent actions, he added that it is evident Manila is not only disregarding Beijing's restraint but also blatantly ignoring relevant international norms, an apparent attempt to further escalate tensions in the South China Sea.

This series of actions, he warned, deserves close and serious attention.

"While the Philippines tries to frame China as a so-called bully, the truth is that China has consistently exercised maximum restraint in the face of repeated provocations," said Yang.

"The Philippines must reflect seriously. If they continue to act recklessly and escalate tensions, they may find themselves bearing the consequences of their own provocations," Yang added.

China has reiterated its firm determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and urges the Philippines to immediately cease all provocative actions that risk destabilizing the region.