Philippines says more than 135 Chinese boats ‘swarming’ reef off its coast

The Philippines said Sunday more than 135 Chinese vessels were “swarming” a reef off its coast, describing the boats’ growing presence as “alarming”.

The Chinese boats were “dispersed and scattered” within the boomerang-shaped Whitsun Reef, which the Philippines calls Julian Felipe Reef, around 320 kilometres (200 miles) west of Palawan Island, the coast guard said.

Whitsun Reef is more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the nearest major Chinese landmass of Hainan island.

The Philippines said it counted 111 “Chinese maritime militia vessels” (CMM) on November 13. When the coast guard deployed two patrol boats to the area on Saturday the number had increased to “more than 135”, the coast guard said.

“No response was made to the radio challenges issued by the PCG (Philippines Coast Guard) to the CMM vessels which is now estimated to have grown to more than 135 vessels dispersed and scattered within Julian Felipe Reef,” the Manila’s coast guard said, describing it as an “alarming development”.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, including waters and islands close to the shores of its neighbours, and has ignored an international tribunal decision that its assertion has no legal basis.

It deploys vessels to patrol the waters, and has built artificial islands and military installations to reinforce its stance.

The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have also staked claims to various islands and reefs in the sea, which is believed to have rich petroleum reserves deep beneath its waters.