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.
Chinese research vessel spotted near Philippine coast but 'goes dark' after, says maritime expert
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.
Chinese research vessel spotted near Philippine coast but 'goes dark' after, says maritime expert, This news data comes from:http://www.redcanaco.com
- Duterte Youth brings Comelec cancelation battle to Supreme Court
- House justice panel to probe US' extradition request for Quiboloy
- DPWH exec fired, 2 others face dismissal over flood control mess
- ‘Lannie’ will bring rain showers, thunderstorms over North Luzon —Pagasa
- 15 people hospitalized after double-decker bus crashes outside London's Victoria Station
- Palace hits Discayas over ‘misinformation’ on PH film center project
- PNP disputes China's crime advisory, says Philippines crime rate dropped
- Palace rejects China's 'troublemaker' tag
- ERC amends net-metering rules to expand renewable energy options
- Marcos signs law giving 99-year land lease to foreign investors
