By Levina

Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Shaunak, recently returning from a goodwill visit to Japan, encountered significant challenges as it traversed the waters west of Scarborough Shoal. The vessel was shadowed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) 3304, highlighting ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. Concurrently, China’s “Monster” ship, CCG 5901, was engaged with the Philippines Coast Guard vessel BRP Gabriella Silang east of the shoal.

The CCG 5901, notorious for its imposing size, continued its pursuit of the Philippine ship approximately 90 nautical miles west of Luzon, well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Ray Powell reports that observing these developments were several American air assets, including the US Navy’s MQ-4C Triton (169358//AE625D) and the P-8A Poseidon (AE6799).

The passage of the Indian ship through this region, which lies within the Philippines’ EEZ, brings to fore the contentious nature of these waters. Despite the Philippines’ claims, China asserts that this area constitutes a disputed zone. Notably, two additional Chinese coast guard ships, CCG 3103 and CCG 3502, were present as the Indian vessel navigated the region.

The Philippines has expressed serious concern over China’s deployment of its largest coast guard vessel within its exclusive maritime economic zone. Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the Philippines National Security Council, stated on 14 Jan, that Manila has lodged a formal protest regarding the presence of the 165-meter-long Chinese coast guard vessel 5901, spotted 77 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales province. The Philippines has demanded the immediate withdrawal of this vessel from its EEZ, viewing its presence as an attempt to intimidate local fishermen operating around the contested Scarborough Shoal.

In response, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, defended the actions of their coast guard. He asserted on Monday that the coast guard’s “patrol and law enforcement activities” in the area were “reasonable, lawful, and beyond reproach.”

This incident is a stark reminder of the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes continue to pose significant challenges to regional stability and international maritime law.