China Nearly Doubles South China Sea Presence to 101 Ships as Philippine Encounters Intensify
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 7
China Nearly Doubles South China Sea Presence to 101 Ships as Philippine Encounters Intensify
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 7
Summary
101 Chinese navy and coast guard vessels were tracked around four disputed South China Sea areas in September, up from 56 in August, the Philippine military said.
39 ships were seen near Scarborough Shoal, 28 around Thitu Island, 23 near Second Thomas Shoal and 11 at Sabina Shoal, with Manila saying the buildup reflects continued coercive activity.
The increase follows a weekend air incident near Scarborough in which Manila said a Chinese J-16 repeatedly flew dangerously close to an unarmed Philippine patrol plane; Beijing said the aircraft entered Chinese airspace without permission.
Tensions have also persisted at sea, including Chinese moves to block Philippine resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal, where Manila maintains troops aboard the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.
The flare-up again tests the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which Washington says covers armed attacks on Philippine forces, aircraft and public vessels in the South China Sea.