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.
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., This news data comes from:http://erlvyiwan.com
Chinese research vessel spotted near Philippine coast but 'goes dark' after, says maritime expert
As of posting time, Philippine authorities have yet to issue a statement on the reported movement of the Chinese vessel.
- Wife and ally of ousted SKorean president indicted by special prosecutors
- Philippines nears universal healthcare, 80% goal achieved -- Marcos
- Rains over Metro Manila, parts of PH as LPA may develop into 'short-lived' tropical depression
- LPA off Leyte has low chance of becoming cyclone within 24 hours —Pagasa
- Hontiveros pushes P15,000 salary hike for teachers
- Dizon asks DOJ to issue immigration lookout bulletin to 26 DPWH officials and contractors
- 2,000 North Korean troops killed in Russia deployment: Seoul spy agency
- Hontiveros wants Senate to probe Chinese who pretended to be Filipino
- US appeals court finds Trump's global tariffs illegal
- Immigration: 1st lookout bulletin in effect on 35 individuals, including Discayas, linked to anomalous flood control projects
