China seeks dialogue after research vessel incident off Batanes

Chinese research vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 is seen from BRP Teresa Magbanua during a Philippine Coast Guard operation off Itbayat, Batanes, on Thursday, Oct. 1. The PCG said it repeatedly challenged the research vessel and moved to disrupt what it described as unauthorized marine scientific research within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. —Screengrab from PCG video MANILA, Philippines — China called for a dialogue to resolve “maritime differences” in a bid to cease interference on its marine research activities after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) drove away a Chinese research vessel off Batanes.

“China calls on the Philippines to genuinely respect China’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters, immediately cease provocative interference with China’s normal scientific research activities, and return to the proper path of managing maritime differences through dialogue and consultation,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila stated in a statement on Friday.

The PCG on Thursday, Oct 1, reported that it drove away the Chinese vessel Jia Hai Ke 7, detected about 69 kilometers northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) after repeatedly ignoring its radio challenges to leave the EEZ.

It rejected the issued statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), maintaining that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the waters of Batanes.

The DFA, citing Article 246 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), saidmarine scientific research (MSR) within a coastal state’s EEZ and continental shelf requires its consent.

China did not send a request to conduct MSR in the area, the DFA emphasized.

The Chinese Embassy warned that China will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests.

It then called for the cessation of interference with China’s MSR in the area and pushed for negotiations to resolve the matter.

“In accordance with the provisions of UNCLOS Articles 74 and 83, as well as the consensus reached between China and the Philippines, the matter should be properly resolved through negotiations,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement. /gsg