Philippine Rise: A Potentially Resource-Rich Ridge Outside SCS That Chinese Vessels 'Intruded'

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel (L) blocks a chartered supply boat on a mission to deliver provisions to a grounded Philippine Navy vessel at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea in mid-November 2023. (Credit: AFP)

KEY POINTS

• The ridge is outside the 10-dash line that China has established to assert its territorial claims
• Marcos Jr. raised "great concern" over the spotting of two Chinese "research" vessels within Philippine Rise baselines
• The UNCLOS commission recognized Philippine Rise as being within Philippine jurisdiction in 2012
• China's Xi urged Chinese armed forces to prepare for possible maritime conflicts

China and the Philippines have long been at odds over territorial waters in the South China Sea, but a new storm is brewing between the Asian countries as Chinese vessels were recently spotted "loitering" in the vicinity of the Philippine Rise, an extinct volcano ridge located approximately 250 kilometers east of the Philippine municipality of Dinapigue.