This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows Chinese ships massing on March 23 at NiuYue Reef in the disputed South China Sea.
The White House said Wednesday that U.S. National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan spoke by phone that day with Philippine National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon to discuss their mutual concerns about the recent buildup of vessels from the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAMMM) near Whitsun Reef. The Philippine government says more than 250 Chinese vessels have gathered near Whitsun Reef. The Philippine government says more than 250 Chinese vessels are massing at six islands disputed by China and the Philippines, despite opposition from the Philippines.
Sullivan emphasized that the United States stands with its Philippine allies in upholding a rules-based international maritime order and reaffirmed the applicability of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty in the South China Sea.
Sullivan and Esperon agreed that the United States and the Philippines will continue to coordinate closely to address challenges in the South China Sea.
The Philippine government said Wednesday that it has observed a build-up of more than 250 Chinese vessels near the six South China Sea islands over which the country claims sovereignty. The Philippine government believes the vessels are operated by Chinese Communist Party militias and has demanded that the Communist Party immediately remove them.
This satellite image provided by space technology company Maxar Technologies shows numerous Chinese vessels anchored near the disputed Bull Yoke Reef in the South China Sea on March 23.
A Philippine government agency monitoring the maritime situation said the build-up of Communist Party-flagged ships and four Chinese naval vessels at a Communist-occupied artificial island base was “harmful to navigation and the safety of life at sea” and could damage coral reefs and threaten Philippine sovereignty.
More than a week ago, the Chinese government ignored protests by the Philippine government and a request by Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to withdraw more than 200 Chinese ships from the vicinity of Ngau Yoke Reef, saying the waters belonged to the Chinese and that the Chinese ships were escaping bad weather at sea.
Philippine officials said 44 Chinese “maritime militia” vessels remained moored at Bull Yoke Reef (known as Julian Felipe Reef in Manila) Monday after the Philippines conducted air and sea patrols. Philippine officials said more than 210 other Chinese vessels had dispersed to five other areas in the Spratly Islands (known in China as the Spratlys), including three Chinese-occupied artificial islands.
Philippine officials said at least four Chinese naval vessels were near the communist-held Mischief Reef and about 45 Chinese vessels were near the Philippine-controlled Pagasa Island (Thitu, known in China as Zhongye Island).
The Philippine military said it could not confirm whether the 92 vessels found near Chigua Reef and 84 vessels at Gaven Reefs were part of the previous Chinese flotilla.
“The Philippines called on China to immediately remove the Chinese-flagged vessels, and “neither the Philippines nor the international community will accept China’s claim of so-called ‘undisputed sovereignty’ over almost the entire South China Sea,” the West Philippine Sea Country Working Group said in a statement. of sovereignty’ over almost the entire South China Sea.”
Philippine military officials said a patrol plane dispatched by the Philippine military received a radio warning to stay away from one of the Chinese-occupied islands, but the pilot radioed back to say the patrol would continue as planned.
An interdepartmental agency led by the Philippine national security adviser released surveillance photos of the Chinese flotilla in the disputed areas, which the Philippine government says are within its exclusive economic zone.
The photos provided by the Philippine Coast Guard and the West Philippine Sea National Working Group on March 7 show Chinese vessels among others anchored near Niu Yoke Reef in the South China Sea.
The Philippines considers the nine islands under its control in the Spratly Islands region to be part of its western Palawan province. But China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also claim sovereignty over some features in the waters. China has turned seven of the disputed islands into missile-protected island bases, fueling regional tensions in recent years.
The U.S. accuses the Chinese Communist Party of using “maritime militias to intimidate, provoke and threaten other countries, undermining peace and security in the region. Beijing denies that the ships are part of the maritime militia.
Canada, Australia, Japan and other countries have also expressed concern about the CCP’s intentions in the region.
The maritime tensions between China and the Philippines come at a time when the Chinese Communist Party is launching a diplomatic offensive against Southeast Asian countries. The foreign ministers of four Southeast Asian countries, including Philippine Foreign Minister Steven Lochin, are visiting China.
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