Chinese vessels gather near the contested island with the Philippines, according to satellite imagery

Satellite images released by Reuters on Thursday reveal an accumulation of Chinese civilian ships near Thitu Island, a crucial outpost for Manila in the South China Sea. However, a senior officer from the Philippines navy stated that this situation is “not a cause for concern.”

One of the images, captured by Maxar Technologies on Monday and analyzed by Reuters, depicts approximately 60 vessels, with some located within 2 nautical miles of Thitu, an island of strategic significance for monitoring Chinese maritime and aerial activities in the heavily trafficked region.

Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres, the head of the Philippines’ Western Command, noted that it is typical for “maritime militia” vessels to congregate in this area. Officials from Manila, the Pentagon, and foreign diplomats assert that these ships collaborate with the Chinese coast guard and navy to bolster Beijing’s influence in contested waters.

Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, the spokesperson for the Philippine Navy regarding the South China Sea, echoed that maritime militia vessels frequently operate in the vicinity. He acknowledged the presence of these ships, which he described as “illegal,” but emphasized that there is no reason for alarm.

“It’s not a cause for concern,” Trinidad stated. “We don’t need to interpret every action and respond accordingly… Our priority is to maintain our stance.”

Online vessel tracking systems indicate that many of the ships identified in the satellite imagery are registered as Chinese fishing boats.

The Chinese defense ministry has not yet responded to a request for comment from Reuters. China has not officially acknowledged the existence of a militia composed of civilian vessels.

The island known as Pag-Asa in the Philippines is the largest and most strategically significant territory for Manila in the contested South China Sea, an area predominantly claimed by China, through which billions of dollars in trade flow annually. A ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016 determined that China’s extensive claims lack legal foundation under international law.

This military buildup follows several months of confrontations and collisions involving Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels with Philippine ships, particularly around Scarborough and Second Thomas Shoals.

Thitu is situated near a Chinese naval base and airstrip on Subi Reef, which has occasionally been utilized as a docking point for numerous Chinese maritime militia vessels, according to Trinidad. He noted, “Traveling to and from Subi requires passage through the territorial waters of Pag-Asa.”

Regional diplomats and security experts are closely monitoring the situation, with some observers pointing out that Chinese vessels had their transponders activated this week, making them trackable. Collin Koh, a security scholar based in Singapore, suggested that Beijing might be assessing Manila’s responses during a period of domestic political instability in the Philippines.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte recently accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of attempting to oust her from her position, following a formal complaint by the national police alleging her involvement in assault and coercion. Koh emphasized the importance of observing the situation in the coming days, noting that if the militia presence persists, it may indicate China’s intention to hinder Philippine construction efforts on the island. Reports suggest that a new aircraft hangar is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, representing a significant step in enhancing the Philippines’ presence on Thitu and improving its monitoring capabilities.