What is China's ‘monster ship’ in South China Sea? Why is the Philippines worried?
FirstpostChina’s Coast Guard vessel CCG-5901 entered Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea on 2 July. In this handout photo provided by Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chinese Coast Guard hold knives and machetes as they approach Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal at the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. AP “Immediately following the dramatic standoff at Second Thomas Shoal … The Monster toured nearly every Philippine outpost and key feature in the South China Sea,” Powell said. Chinese vice foreign minister Chen Xiaodong met with Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro at the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila China called on the Philippines to stop “maritime infringement” and move towards stabilizing their relations and protect these from “further deterioration.” During the talk, China reiterated its sovereignty over Ren’ai Jiao, Beijing’s name for Ayungin Shoal, and “the adjacent waters, and its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters.” “The Chinese side urges the Philippine side to stop maritime infringement and provocation at once, earnestly abide by the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, return to the right track of properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation, jointly manage the situation at Ren’ai Jiao with the Chinese side, promote the easing and cooling down of the maritime situation, and stabilize China-Philippines relations from further deterioration,” China Foreign Ministry said in a readout.