Philippine authorities say they have detected a new Chinese research vessel operating near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, a day after confirming the removal of a controversial floating platform in the area. In a maritime domain awareness flight over Panatag on Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) documented the Chinese research ship Tong Ji. The reports state that the vessel is being monitored in the vicinity of the shoal following the earlier withdrawal of the floating structure that had drawn public attention.
The PCG observations also continue to include Chinese government and non-government assets around the feature, according to the statement cited in one report. The coverage notes the return of Chinese Coast Guard vessels to the Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal) area, along with additional Chinese maritime militia vessels.
The information is presented as surveillance and documentation by Philippine authorities through PCG maritime domain awareness activities, and it frames the new ship’s presence as occurring in the immediate period after the platform removal was confirmed. All details reported are based on the described flight monitoring and related PCG documentation.
