The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) rejects China’s claim of sovereign rights and jurisdiction over waters off Batanes, after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) drives away a Chinese research vessel from the area. In a statement, the DFA says it “firmly and strongly” rejects an assertion made by the Chinese Embassy regarding waters off Itbayat and the surrounding sea.
The DFA says the research vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 was detected about 69 kilometers northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The outlets report that the PCG intervention is part of Manila’s position that China is not permitted to conduct research there. The reporting also emphasizes that the Philippines does not recognize China’s asserted jurisdiction in this area.
Across the sources, the main differences are limited to phrasing and emphasis: some focus more directly on the DFA’s rejection statement, while others highlight the PCG’s action leading to the diplomatic response. All accounts describe the same sequence—an encountered Chinese research ship, its removal, and a subsequent DFA dismissal of China’s jurisdiction claim—without adding contrary details about the vessel’s activities or location.
