Chinese vessels at Ayungin Shoal seen in ‘invasion’ mode: expert

This satellite image shows the positions of 11 Chinese vessels inside Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on Dec 11. The grounded BRP Sierra Madre (see arrow) stands guard as the lone Philippine outpost in the area. — PHOTO FROM SEALIGHT Read more: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/224357/chinese-vessels-at-ayungin-seen-in-invasion-mode#ixzz8LvdCWYue Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

MANILA: Chinese ships staged a rare “invasion” of Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal in the West Philippine Sea in a “calculated show of force by Beijing,” after disrupting a Philippine resupply mission in the same waters over the weekend, according to a maritime security expert.

As many as 11 Chinese maritime militia vessels were observed in the Philippine-held shoal while dozens more clustered in the periphery on Monday (Dec 11), a day after the tension-filled supply run, said Ray Powell, SeaLight director at the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, citing satellite images by Planet Labs.