China's aerostat spotted in Mischief Reef

An aerostat, supposedly put up by China for the purpose of intelligence-gathering, has been spotted on Mischief Reef in the West Philippine Sea, according to ImageSat International.

In a tweet dated November 24, ImageSat International stated that the use of aerostat "allows China a continuous situational awareness in this resource-rich region."

For the first time, #China's aerostat, probably for #military #intelligence-gathering purposes, seen by #ISI at #Mischief Reef. The use of #aerostat allows China a continuous situational awareness in this resource-rich region.#IMINT #VISINT #Space #SouthChinaSea #SouthSea pic.twitter.com/EnIzrJNht9

— ImageSat Intl. (@ImageSatIntl) November 24, 2019

The satellite image, taken last November 18, was the first evidence of an operational aerostat, according to ImageSat International, which specializes in providing high-resolution satellite imagery and mapping.

Mischief Reef, locally known as Panganiban Reef, is one of the reefs that Beijing has been reclaiming over the years. China has engaged in the construction of artificial islands, installations and structures in the said reef.

In 2016, the tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration concluded that Mischief Reef, Second Thomas Shoal and Reed Bank are “submerged at high tide, form part of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines, are not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China.”

GMA News Online has contacted the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for comment regarding the said activity of China in the region but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time. —KG, GMA News