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The Philippines has accused China of escalating tensions in the South China Sea by deploying its largest coastguard vessel to the region.
Some shit you should know before you read: China and the Philippines have experienced escalating tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims nearly the entire area despite an international ruling invalidating its claims. China has deployed navy and coastguard vessels that have harassed Filipino ships, blocked access to disputed reefs and islands, and caused violent confrontations, leading to injuries and damaged vessels.

What’s going on: Jonathan Malaya, a spokesman for the Philippines National Security Council, confirmed that China has deployed its largest coastguard vessel, the 541ft long ship “5901,” into Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The vessel was last spotted 77 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales province, near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. Malaya described the deployment as a “clear attempt to intimidate our fishermen and deprive them of their legitimate livelihood.” He further condemned the presence of the so-called “monster ship” as “illegal and unacceptable,” adding that it marked “an escalation and provocative” move by Beijing.
The Philippine Coast Guard has responded by sending two of its largest vessels to drive away the Chinese ship, which Malaya claims was intended to “normalize China’s illegal deployment” in Manila’s waters. He stated, “We were surprised about the increasing aggression being shown by the People’s Republic of China in deploying the monster ship.” In addition to the rhertoric, the Philippines has lodged a formal diplomatic protest to China and is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the vessel from its EEZ.
China responds: China has defended the deployment of vessel 5901, arguing that its presence and activities in the disputed waters are lawful and justified. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the vessel’s “patrol and law enforcement activities“ were “reasonable, lawful, and beyond reproach.” He added that China’s sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea are “solidly grounded in history and the law.“ The Chinese embassy in Manila also chimed in, claiming the Scarborough Shoal, which it refers to as “Huangyan Dao,“ is Chinese territory, and its actions are “fully justified.“