Explained: What is unusual about China's 'monster' ship near Philippines? Is Beijing inching closer to war?

In another display of its heavy-handed tactics in the South China Sea, China anchored its “monster ship” in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Saturday (July 6). The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was on alert whenthe gigantic Chinese vesselentered Manila’s 200-nautical mile EEZ.

The 165-metre China Coast Guard vessel named CCG-5901 was anchored near Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands, as per CNN.

Coast guard vessels are used for patrolling the coastline of a country, what makes this event unusual is not just the area in which patrolling was done but also the size of the Chinese patrolling vessel.

What is China’s ‘monster’ ship? What is so unusual about it?

All countries with coastal lines along seas have robust naval forces, comprising of a Navy and Coast Guards. The country’s Navy generally have the big toys of the game like frigates, nuclear submarines, warships and aircraft carriers. The Coast Guards, on the other hand, have comparatively small vessels used for patrolling the coastal borders.

These coastal patrolling vessels are usually small in size and have small displacement. For instance, the Indian Coast Guards have coastal ships of about 1,800-3,900 tonnes- which is considered an ideal size for a patrolling vessel worldwide.

However, when it comes to Chinese coastal vessel, CCG-5901, it has a displacement of 12,000 tonnes. It is said to be bigger than any regular Coast Guard ship in the world – barring a speciality US Coast Guard icebreaker – and even larger than some US Navy destroyers. This unusual size of a patrolling ship is a cue to the Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.

The CCG-5901 even has more firepower than its US counterparts. It has two main 76.2-millimetre guns compared to just one main 57-millimetre gun on the US vessels.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the vessel, which entered the 200-nautical mile, was meant to intimidate its smaller neighbour.

PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said that the Chinese vessel was warned that it was in the Philippines’ EEZ and asked about their intentions. The Chinese ship, which has also deployed a small boat, was anchored 800 yards away from the PCG’s vessel, Tarriela said.

The CCG-5901 is five times bigger than the PCG’s ship.

Is Beijing inching closer to a war?

Many believe that Beijing is apparently trying to intimidate its smaller Asian neighbour, while others anticipate that it is inching closer to a war in the South China Sea with such flexing of military muscle. The latter anticipation also comes from the recent trend of many high-net-worth people leaving China- not just millionaires, but Chinese billionaires are also looking to move their cash and themselves out of the country, a move seen as a major precursor to an upcoming war.

Ray Powell, a South China Sea expert and director of SeaLight at the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University, told CNN that ‘the monster’ has been roaming the EEZ since a clash near Second Thomas Shoal in June.

The Philippines has soldiers living aboard a rusty, ageing warship at the Second Thomas Shoal, which was deliberately grounded by Manila in 1999 to reinforce its maritime claims.

“Immediately following the dramatic standoff at Second Thomas Shoal … The Monster toured nearly every Philippine outpost and a key feature in the South China Sea,” Powell said.

“Its massive size enables it to intimidate its neighbours while avoiding the escalatory implications of sending a gray-hulled military vessel,” Powell added.

On June 17,Philippines and China clashed over the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, when some Filipino navy personnel were left injured as CCG personnel repeatedly rammed Philippine rubber boats to stop them from delivering food supplies, firearms and other necessities to BRP Sierra Madre.

The Philippines military had also shared the video of the June 17 incident on its official X handle.

The shoal off the northwestern Philippines has emerged as a new flashpoint in the region.

During the Jun 17 incident, the CCG personnel were seen flaunting knives, an axe, and pointed sticks- similar unconventional weapons that were used during the 2020 Galwan standoff with India. Based on the videos and photos released by the Philippine military, the Navy boats were slashed and the navigational screen was smashed.

The Asian neighbours previously agreed to hold what they call the Bicameral Consultative Mechanism meetings, first held in 2017, to peacefully manage their disputes.

India and Japan are also giving their full-fledged backing to the Philippines in this matter. Japan is also in talks with Manila to sign a defence pact, much similar to the mutual defence treaty between the Philippines and the US. But Manila knows that it needs more than just the US when it comes to countering China in the South China Sea, which is why we will see more military engagements ofPhilippines with India and Japan.

(With inputs from agencies)