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The Giants Are Getting Closer: China's gray-zone playbook at sea

Article by J. Salazar

Published on August 25, 2026 04:00PM



Manila, Philippines — The deployment of massive Chinese coast guard cutters and amphibious warships near Filipino islands in the West Philippine Sea has raised alarms among Philippine authorities and international observers, who describe the maneuvers as calculated gray-zone intimidation rather than routine maritime law enforcement. ¹ ² ³ ⁴


Mega-Cutters and Amphibious Warships Near Filipino Shores


In recent months, the China Coast Guard (CCG) has deployed its largest vessel, CCG 5901, dubbed the “monster ship” for its 12,000-ton displacement, into waters near Palawan, Zambales, and other Filipino features in the West Philippine Sea. ¹ ³ The vessel, equipped for expeditionary command and extended operations, has been tracked passing near Parola and Pag-asa islands in the Kalayaan Island Group, and sailing as close as 34 nautical miles from El Nido, Palawan. ¹ ⁴


Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela confirmed that CCG 5901’s presence inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) constitutes an illegal incursion, violating Philippine sovereignty and international maritime law. ¹ ³ The vessel’s movements have been logged in real time using telemetry and vessel detection systems, with Philippine authorities issuing repeated radio challenges and documenting every gray-zone maneuver. ⁴ ⁵


In addition to CCG 5901, Chinese naval assets including PLA-N Type 071 amphibious transport docks such as Qilian Shan and Kunlun Shan, each displacing up to 25,000 tons, have been observed conducting operations near Filipino features, further escalating the psychological and strategic pressure on Philippine maritime patrols. ²


Philippine Response: Transparent Documentation and Unwavering Patrols


In response, the Philippines has intensified its maritime presence, deploying Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, and other government assets to maintain constant patrols and safeguard sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. ⁶ ⁷ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has tripled its air and naval patrols, particularly around the Kalayaan Island Group, Bajo de Masinloc, and Ayungin Shoal, to monitor and challenge unauthorized Chinese activities. ⁸ ⁹ ¹¹ ¹² ¹³


“The Philippine Coast Guard complies with the directive of the President to uphold maritime law, safeguard national sovereignty, and promote peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea without escalation,” said PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, emphasizing the agency’s professional, rules-based approach. ⁵


Philippine authorities have made public every maritime incident, including dangerous maneuvers, water-cannon attacks, and ramming incidents by Chinese vessels, to ensure transparency and uphold international order. ⁵ ⁷ The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) coordinates closely with the PCG, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG) to protect Filipino fishermen and the marine environment. ⁶


International Context and Legal Reality


Despite the overwhelming tonnage and firepower of Chinese assets, Philippine officials and legal experts stress that massive ships cannot rewrite the rule of law. ² The 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) affirms the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its EEZ and continental shelf, including features such as Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, and the Kalayaan Island Group. ⁶ ⁹


International partners, including the United States, have joined the Philippines in bilateral maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea, reinforcing commitment to freedom of navigation and a rules-based order. ¹⁰


Fact Check


  • CCG 5901 Deployment: The world’s largest coast guard cutter, CCG 5901, has been deployed near Palawan, Zambales, and Kalayaan islands, violating the Philippines’ EEZ. ¹ ³

  • Philippine Patrols: The AFP, PCG, and other agencies have increased patrols and documentation of Chinese gray-zone activities in the West Philippine Sea. ⁶ ⁷ ⁸

  • Legal Reality: The 2016 arbitral ruling affirms Philippine sovereign rights; massive Chinese vessels cannot alter international law. ² ⁶

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Notes:


¹ Palawan News. PCG confirms 'monster ship' sailed near El Nido, Palawan. https://palawan-news.com/pcg-confirms-monster-ship-sailed-near-el-nido-palawan


² The Maritime Executive. China Sends World's Largest Coast Guard Cutter to "Intimidate" Philippines. https://maritime-executive.com/article/china-sends-world-s-largest-coast-guard-cutter-to-intimidate-philippines


³ PNA. PCG sees continued illegal Chinese presence in PH waters with new ship. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241330



⁵ Tribune. PCG monitors West Philippine Sea, issues warnings to China. https://tribune.net.ph/2025/11/28/pcg-monitors-west-philippine-sea-warns-against-illegal-chinese-presence


⁶ PNA. Various gov't agencies patrol WPS: task force. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1138270


⁷ PNA. PCG heightens patrol in WPS, makes public maritime incidents. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1196051


⁸ Philstar. AFP deploys more air, naval assets in West Philippine Sea. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/12/2280429/afp-deploys-more-air-naval-assets-west-philippine-sea


⁹ Inquirer. AFP monitors 48 Chinese vessels in West PH Sea in July. https://www.inquirer.net/483303/afp-monitors-48-chinese-vessels-in-west-ph-sea-in-july


¹⁰ Manila Bulletin. AFP, US counterpart hold bilateral drills in West PH Sea ... https://mb.com.ph/2026/06/20/afp-us-counterpart-hold-bilateral-drills-in-west-ph-sea-amid-chinese-activities-in-scarborough


¹¹ PNA. AFP air, naval assets hold 54 patrols in WPS. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1238701



¹³ Philstar. Navy to increase sea, air patrols in West Philippine Sea. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/08/21/2379448/navy-increase-sea-air-patrols-west-philippine-sea⁩

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