Chinese forces deployed maritime security officers, fighter jets and new buoys to Scarborough Shoal on Friday following Philippine fishery support efforts at disputed maritime features across the South China Sea this week.
China’s Maritime Security Administration sent large patrol vessels 101 and 301 to the disputed South China Sea maritime feature located 120 nautical miles from Luzon. The vessels were involved in an incident last winter that saw maritime security officers board and beat several Vietnamese fishermen near the Paracel Islands.
The patrol ships arrived shortly before a People’s Liberation Army exercise, which took place 17 nautical miles southwest of the shoal, according to Taiwan Security Monitor, a research initiative at George Mason University that tracks the Chinese military.
The Watch, an open source X account, posted the presence of the two Maritime Security Administration ships alongside several China Coast Guard cutters at Scarborough. Beijing has bolstered its presence at the maritime feature following a collision between its military and security forces in August. Since then, Chinese, Philippine and American forces have swarmed the shoal.
China has also claimed the shoal as a natural nature reserve, permitting Chinese forces to protect Scarborough from foreign powers over environmental concerns. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has spotted at least two buoys, one outside and one within the shoal.
“In the face of such aggressive actions, the PCG remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold international law and safeguard maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” reads a release from the agency.
Manila has also raised concerns about potential Chinese actions at Scarborough, with the Department of National Defense and Department of Foreign Affairs releasing separate statements highlighting Philippine rights over the maritime feature this week.
On Monday, a PCG aerial maritime patrol was intercepted by a People’s Liberation Army Air Force J-16 Shenyang fighter jet. Chinese forces have frequently deployed military combat aircraft from air bases, warships and mainland bases over Scarborough to assert their control. These flights included the arrival of H-6 bombers armed with YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles over the maritime feature.
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