MANILA, Philippines — China’s research vessel Ke Xue San Hao has been reportedly “surveying” inside the country’s exclusive economic zone, defense and maritime security expert Ray Powell said Tuesday.
This came just days after another ramming incident in the disputed West Philippine Sea and exactly a month after the Philippine Coast Guard first reported the presence of the Chinese vessel that has been surveying the country’s shoals as early as July.
As of 7:36 a.m., Powell said that the research vessel is situated just 85 nautical miles or about 158 kilometers west of Southern Palawan.
Prior to the presence of China’s research vessel, Powell said a Chinese Coast Guard 3304 vessel was spotted conducting intrusive patrol just 50 nautical miles or 93 kilometers of Palawan since September 1.
Powell has been actively reporting China’s presence inside the Philippine territory.
In August, the PCG reported that it is closely monitoring the Multi-Purpose Oceanographic Research Vessel Ke Xue San Hao using the Dark Vessel Detection Program. The vessel has been displaying irregular automatic identification system transmissions while navigating near Escoda Shoal.
It also said that the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) has been actively tracking the Chinese research vessel since it passed approximately 5.5 nautical miles directly behind her.
The Ke Xue San Hao, designed by the Marine Design and Research Institute of China and built by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Co., is equipped with cutting-edge technology for comprehensive marine environment observation, detection, sampling, and analysis.
Tracking data shows that the vessel departed from Panganiban Reef on July 26, passing through several strategic locations, including Ayungin Shoal, Raja Soliman Shoal, Bulig Shoal, Hasa Hasa Shoal, and Abad Santos Shoal, before arriving at Escoda Shoal.
