MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese research vessel approached close to the Philippine coastline on Saturday morning before switching off its tracking system, a maritime security analyst reported.
Retired US Air Force Col. Ray Powell, director of the SeaLight project at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center, said that the Dong Fang Hong 3, a 103-meter oceanographic ship, came within 65 nautical miles of the Philippines before going “dark” at 7:12 a.m. local time.
The vessel is equipped with advanced oceanographic sensors, multi-beam sonar, and remotely operated vehicles, giving it the capability to conduct seabed mapping, acoustic monitoring, and surveys of underwater infrastructure, Powell noted.
Chinese research vessel spotted near Philippine coast but 'goes dark' after, says maritime expert, This news data comes from:http://aichuwei.com
He warned that such activities form part of Beijing’s “gray zone tactics playbook,” in which China mixes legitimate scientific research with assertion of its maritime claims and the gathering of potential military intelligence.
Powell’s post, citing tracking data from maritime analytics firm Starboard, comes amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where Manila has repeatedly protested Chinese incursions.
As of posting time, Philippine authorities have yet to issue a statement on the reported movement of the Chinese vessel.
- Trump frustrated after thinking he made headway on Russia-Ukraine talks only to see Putin balk
- Thai opposition holds kingmaking summit deciding new PM
- UK, Japan, South Korea endure hottest summer on record
- Oil firms to raise fuel prices this week
- North Korea test-fires two 'new' air defense missiles
- 4 policemen linked to sabungero case slapped with more administrative cases
- House committee subpoenas Sarah Discaya, 4 other contractors over flood control project anomalies
- La Niña may return but temperatures will remain high, UN says
- French couple kept panther that roamed nearby rooftops
- Govt debt swells to record P17.58T
