In a striking demonstration of maritime dominance, the Philippine Navy reported an unprecedented sighting of 251 Chinese ships operating within the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This record-breaking surge, monitored from September 17 to 23, included a formidable array of warships, Coast Guard cutters, maritime militia boats, and research ships, significantly intensifying the already volatile situation in the region, gCaptain reports.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy’s WPS operations, confirmed the alarming numbers. “We observed 28 China Coast Guard ships, 16 warships from the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN), 204 Chinese maritime militia vessels, and three research and survey vessels,” Trinidad said.
The current deployment marks a drastic increase from the previous week, when 157 Chinese vessels were documented patrolling the contested waters. This sudden influx comes as tensions between Manila and Beijing continue to simmer over territorial disputes within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Adding to the already fraught atmosphere, this development coincides with China’s deployment of three aircraft carriers at sea simultaneously for the first time in history. The PLAN’s milestone showcases the country’s rapidly expanding naval capabilities and signals its growing ambition to project power far beyond its shores. Just last month, China also dispatched three icebreakers to the Arctic, and last week, it joined forces with Russia for Operation Ocean 2024, involving over 400 warships and 120 aircraft in a formidable display of naval strength.
These aggressive maneuvers have heightened concerns over the potential for conflict in the West Philippine Sea, as both nations steadfastly assert their maritime claims. Maritime experts warn that the sheer scale of the deployment could be a prelude to more assertive actions by China, raising the stakes for regional stability.
Trinidad reassured reporters that although China may operate 350 to 400 ships across the entire South China Sea, the 251 vessels observed within the Philippine EEZ are not enough to assert complete control over the area.
“The mere fact that the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Navy, the Air Force, and the Army can continue performing our mandate—sailing the seas and flying in the skies—not only the AFP but also other government agencies—indicates that nobody has control over that vast expanse of water in the South China Sea,” Trinidad told Newsweek.
As the situation unfolds, regional stability hangs in the balance, with the international community watching closely for any further developments.
