The Philippines has expressed growing concern over China’s deployment of its largest coast guard vessel within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), calling the move a provocative escalation. The 165-metre-long Chinese vessel, identified as coast guard ship 5901, was spotted just 77 nautical miles from Zambales province, within the contested waters of the South China Sea, a region claimed by both nations, as reported by Reuters.

Manila's National Security Council spokesperson, Jonathan Malaya, labelled the presence of the ship as alarming, describing it as an act of intimidation towards Filipino fishermen operating near a disputed shoal. Malaya pointed out that the vessel’s deployment represented an increasing level of aggression from Beijing. "We were surprised about the increasing aggression," he said, adding that the ship's presence was "illegal" and "unacceptable."

In response, the Philippine Coast Guard mobilised two of its largest vessels to confront the Chinese ship, with the intention of driving it away from the area. Manila has also lodged an official protest, demanding the vessel’s withdrawal from the EEZ.

Despite the escalating tensions, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun defended the coast guard’s actions, calling them "reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach." Guo’s remarks underscore Beijing's longstanding position on its territorial claims in the South China Sea, which remain a point of contention with several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.

The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint for territorial disputes. An international tribunal ruling in 2016 dismissed China’s claims to large swathes of the waterway, a decision Beijing continues to reject. The region, rich in resources and a vital international shipping route, sees annual commerce worth trillions of dollars. China’s expansive territorial claims overlap with the EEZs of several nations, including Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

As tensions rise, the Philippines, a close ally of the United States, remains at odds with China over its activities in the region. The situation reflects broader geopolitical struggles in the South China Sea, where competing claims and the presence of foreign naval forces continue to escalate.