Philippines says it moved to drive away Chinese research vessel near Batanes
Manila says it sent military assets to counter a Chinese research vessel near the Batanes Islands; Beijing has not yet responded to the claims.
What happened
A Chinese civilian research vessel, identified as the Jia Hai Ke 7, spent more than a week conducting operations off the Philippines' Batanes Islands.1
The vessel departed from Xiamen on China's southeastern coast on September 19 and arrived near Batanes, according to AIS data tracked by MarineTraffic.1
The Philippines says it deployed a vessel and aircraft to drive away the Chinese research vessel, according to Anadolu Agency, a Turkish state-controlled news agency.2
Taipei Times reported that the Philippines sent its largest ship to challenge the Chinese vessel, a claim not corroborated elsewhere in the sources reviewed.3
Beijing has not yet responded to Manila's claims, according to Anadolu Agency.2
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported a Chinese government response to the Philippines' claims.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed what specific research or survey activity the Chinese vessel was conducting.
- None of the outlets reviewed specified the exact type or name of the Philippine vessel or aircraft deployed, beyond it being described as the largest ship by Taipei Times.
Why it matters
According to the South China Morning Post, the area near Batanes has become a focus of tension linked to Manila-Tokyo maritime delimitation efforts, amid broader pressure from Beijing.1
Sources (3)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Middle East & Turkey
- 2Anadolu AgencyTRState-controlled
Philippines says it deployed vessel, aircraft to ‘drive’ away Chinese research vessel
East Asia
- 1South China Morning PostHKPrivate
Chinese research ship near the Batanes sparks undersea cable concerns in Manila
- 3Taipei TimesTWPrivate