The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday debunked reports the dredging ship recently seized by Philippine Coast Guard off Bataan came from China. “Initial investigation on the identity of MV Zhonhai 68 by relevant Chinese authorities has shown that the ship is not registered in China and not a Chinese ship,” the embassy said in a statement. The embassy stressed there was no Chinese national on board the ship when it was apprehended by the joint operatives of the PCG and Bureau of Customs due to its illegal presence in waters off Orion Point on January 27.

Requejo, R. E., & Ramos-Araneta, M. (2021, February 4). Chinese disown dredging ship. Manila Standard, p. A2.