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., This news data comes from:http://www.gyglfs.com
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.
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.
- Discaya says her family owns nine companies
- Prompt release of educational aids sought
- Search for survivors after Afghan earthquake kills 800
- Former DPWH chief denies links to corruption
- DPWH told to build evacuation centers
- Thai court to rule on PM's fate after Hun Sen call leak
- Sarah Discaya grilled by Senate over alleged DPWH links
- Maduro hits ‘illegal’ US troops deployment
- Marcos soon to create commission to probe flood control projects
- Over 800 killed as quake rocks Afghanistan
