China Coast Guard (CCG) ships are purposely switching on their tracking signals for long periods of time in some areas being claimed by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea as part of China’s efforts to project power, a US think tank said in a report. The report released by Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (Amti) said the Chinese ships patrolling Luconia Shoals, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal appear to be broadcasting their automatic identification system (AIS) far more frequently. “There was at least one ship broadcasting from Luconia on 258 of the last 365 days. At least one was broadcasting from Second Thomas on 215 days, and from Scarborough for 162 days,” the report said. Elsewhere in the South China Sea, the CCG often broadcasts its AIS only when entering and leaving port.

Mangosing, F. G. (2019, September 29). US report:China broadcasting presence in 3 disputed shoals. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A4.