Philippine Coast Guard Accuses China of Illegal Marine Research in South China Sea
The Philippine Coast Guard has accused China of conducting unauthorized marine scientific research near the Reed Bank, a region rich in oil and gas within Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. According to a statement, the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 33 was spotted near Iroquois Reef, deploying a service boat, which the Philippines claims is part of illegal research activities. The incident also involved a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and 13 Chinese maritime militia ships. The Philippines asserts that these actions violate its sovereign rights and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In response, the China Coast Guard accused the Philippines of harassment and claimed the research was a legitimate ecological survey. 
