The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) observed a shift in China’s approach in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) after a Chinese warship invoked “sovereign immunity” to justify its presence inside the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

A Jiangkai-class frigate with bow number “551” of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) was monitored approximately 35 nautical miles southwest of Capones Island in Zambales on the first of the two-day 11th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) of the AFP with allied forces from the United States and Japan.

The activity was held from Sept. 12 to 13 off Magalawa Island in Palauig town to Silanguin Island in San Antonio town, both in Zambales.

Personnel of the Philippine Navy (PN) guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) detected at least three Chinese vessels during the exercise, and issued a radio challenge to PLA-N frigate 551 when it came as close as seven nautical miles away from them.

The crew of BRP Jose Rizal advised the Chinese vessel that it had no legal authority to conduct military operations in the area as it was within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Manila but the latter insisted it was enjoying “sovereign immunity”.

Previous instances showed that Chinese vessels would often justify their presence within the Philippines’ EEZ by insisting they were operating in areas within the 10-dash line (previously nine-dash-line) of China, which overlaps with the Philippines’ claim in the WPS. China’s claim was already invalidated by the 2016 arbitral ruling that upheld Manila’s maritime rights.

The PLA-N frigate 551 said it was “taking legal military operations beyond territorial waters of other territorial countries.” In essence, the Chinese warship was saying that it was not inside Manila’s 12-nautical mile territorial waters so it enjoys freedom on the high seas.

The high seas refer to areas beyond the 200-nautical mile EEZ of a country where certain freedoms, such as freedom of navigation and overflight, fully apply.

The Chinese warship’s justification, however, discarded the fact that the area where it was detected, approximately 35 nautical miles southwest of Capones Island in Zambales, was within the 200-nautical mile EEZ of the Philippines.

Despite this, the PN said the presence of the Chinese vessels did not affect the MMCA.

Aside from BRP Jose Rizal, the AFP also deployed an AgustaWestland109 (AW) anti-submarine helicopter, a Philippine Air Force (PAF) search and rescue aircraft, a C-208B Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, and four FA-50 fighter jets for the 11th MMCA.

Meanwhile, the US Indopacom deployed the guided missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG113), a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and two MH 60-R helicopters. For its part, the JMSDF sent the tank landing ship JS Osumi (LST4001).

“These continuous engagements underscore the sustained commitment of the three nations to enhancing maritime cooperation, promoting regional security, and supporting a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific,” the AFP said on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Among the key components of the MMCA included a Communications Check Exercise to ensure effective coordination; Maritime Domain Awareness activities; an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Exercise; a Cross-Deck Landing Exercise; and Naval Surface Interdiction and Clearance (NSIC).

The exercise also featured Division Tactics/Officer of the Watch maneuvers, a Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX), Passing Exercise (PASSEX), Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), and a Final Exercise (FINEX).

“The successful conduct of the MMCA not only enhances the interoperability of the participating forces but also reaffirms the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests and upholding peace and security in the region,” the AFP said.