China sent one of its biggest civilian maritime patrol ships to the South China Sea to protect its “rights and sovereignty,” state media said yesterday, a move likely to raise tensions with neighbors staking rival claims to waters thought to hold reserves of oil and gas.
The Chinese Maritime Safety Administration’s Haixun 31 left south China on Wednesday and will head for Singapore, passing near the Paracel and Spratly island groups at the heart of disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines and other governments.
Chinese news reports were plain about the intent of the trip and the news drew concern from the Philippines.
“Our country’s biggest maritime patrol ship patrols the South China Sea,” a headline in the Beijing Daily said.
The Haixun 31 would monitor shipping, carry out surveys, inspect oil wells and “protect maritime security,” the paper said — steps that could lead to confrontation with other countries pressing claims in the area.
It also said it would carry out inspections of foreign vessels anchored or operating in waters claimed by China.
The Haixun 31 is one of two civilian ships the same size as naval vessels, but which lack the heavy firepower. It is also one of China’s most advanced maritime patrol vessels, weighing in with a displacement of 3,000 tonnes. It has a helicopter pad and can stay at sea for 40 days traveling at 18 knots, the Beijing Daily said.
China’s move comes after weeks of trading accusations with Vietnam and the Philippines over what each government sees as intrusions and illegitimate claims over territorial waters by the other in a stretch of ocean spanned by key shipping lanes.
The Philippines would be concerned if China placed markers in disputed areas of the South China Sea, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said yesterday after talks with his Australian counterpart in Canberra.
“We are very concerned about these markers being placed in waters and areas and features that are clearly ours,” del Rosario told reporters.
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