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.
Chinese research vessel spotted near Philippine coast but 'goes dark' after, says maritime expert
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., This news data comes from:http://duxj.redcanaco.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.
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.
- Bonoan resigns, Dizon named DPWH chief
- Wife of Australian man wanted in police killings urges him to surrender
- Comelec en banc upholds cancelation of Duterte Youth Party-List registration
- China's Xi holds talks with North Korea's Kim in Beijing
- IBP to form good governance panel
- NKorea accuses South of ‘serious provocation’
- ‘Large shark’ kills man off Sydney beach
- Monsoon rains flood Mandaluyong, Parañaque — MMDA
- Group presses DA on delayed fertilizer subsidies
- Govt preparations for WorldSkills PH hosting go 'full blast'
