2 Chinese research ships spotted in Benham Rise — expert

Two Chinese research vessels were seen Tuesday in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in Benham Rise, also known as Philippine Rise, according to an expert monitoring the presence of Chinese ships in the area.

"Philippine Rise: Two of China's research ships—Xiang Yang Hong 03 & Zhang Jian—entered the Philippines' exclusive economic zone off its eastern seaboard last night," former US Air Force official and ex-defense attaché Ray Powell said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

"Neither has yet entered a survey pattern so their purpose in being there is so far unclear," he added.

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Chinese research ships entered the Philippine EEZ most likely to avoid Typhoon Marce. 

“As of yesterday, approximately 350 nautical miles south of Philippine Rise and 120 nautical miles east of Catanduanes sila. Most likely umiwas sa bagyo mga ito,” Trinidad told GMA News Online in a message.

(As of yesterday, they are approximately 350 nautical miles south of Philippine Rise and 120 nautical miles east of Catanduanes. They most likely avoided the typhoon.)

GMA News Online has asked the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Embassy in Manila about the report but they have yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

Just last week, the Philippine Navy monitored two Chinese fishing boats off the east coast of the Philippines.

Powell said Chinese fishing boats Lu Rong Yu 51794 and Lu Yan Yuan Yu 017 were seen less than 20 nautical miles from the San Ildefonso Peninsula in Casiguran, Aurora.

Trinidad said the presence of the Chinese boats is not alarming as more fishing boats from other countries were also monitored in the area.

"This is not alarming. It is not only the Chinese fishing boats that we monitor. There are other fishing boats from other countries all over our EEZ including ASEAN countries and the Pacific Island states," he said.

The Benham Rise is a volcanic plateau which is part of the country's extended continental shelf in the Philippine Sea.

According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippines has "sovereign rights" in the Benham Rise, meaning other states cannot conduct any exploration and exploitation activities there without permission.

In September last year, three Chinese survey ships were spotted near Benham Rise and within the EEZ that is believed to be rich in oil and gas reserves, and other marine resources.

China has claimed their ships were merely in transit in those waters. — VDV/BM, GMA Integrated News