The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday rejected the Chinese Embassy’s assertion that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over waters off Batanes.

In a statement, the DFA said the Chinese research and survey vessel JIA HAI KE 7 was detected approximately 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, which it said is well within the Philippine EEZ.

The department also defended the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) actions against the vessel, describing them as lawful and routine law enforcement operations in response to suspected unauthorized marine scientific research (MSR) activity.

“Under Article 246 of UNCLOS, marine scientific research in the EEZ and on the continental shelf shall be conducted with the consent of the coastal State,” the DFA said.

The department added that the Philippines had not received any request from China and had not given consent for any Chinese vessel to conduct MSR in the area. Article 246 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides that marine scientific research in a coastal state’s EEZ and continental shelf shall be conducted with the consent of the coastal state.

The DFA’s statement followed remarks from Chinese Embassy Deputy Spokesperson Guo Wei, who accused the PCG of “harassment” of the Chinese research vessel and said it infringed on China’s alleged sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the area.

Guo said the vessel was conducting “normal operations” in waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.

China also condemned the Philippine operation and urged Manila to respect what it described as China’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction, while calling on the Philippines to stop what it characterized as interference with its scientific research activities.

The PCG earlier said it had deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua and an Islander aircraft on October 1 to challenge the JIA HAI KE 7 after monitoring the vessel off Batanes since September 28. The PCG said the vessel left its position at around 11:42 a.m. on October 1, after sustained pressure from Philippine forces.

The PCG also reported that China Coast Guard vessel CCG-2503 arrived during the operation and repeatedly issued radio challenges to the Philippine vessel.

The DFA called on China to fulfill its obligations under international law and avoid actions that could undermine efforts to rebuild mutual trust.

“The Philippines will continue to uphold the country's sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its EEZ peacefully and responsibly in accordance with international law,” the department said.