China shifting West PH Sea presence toward coast guard, research ships

China appears to be reorienting its maritime activities in the West Philippine Sea, with a noticeable shift towards coast guard and research operations, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported Tuesday. The AFP has observed fewer Chinese navy and maritime militia vessels in the first half of 2026, but a rise in China Coast Guard (CCG) and research vessels.

Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, stated that the Philippine Navy monitored 77 different CCG vessels between January and June, an increase from 68 in the same period last year. Conversely, the number of Chinese navy vessels decreased to 78 from 100, and maritime militia vessels fell from 999 to 850. Trinidad interpreted the increase in CCG vessels as an indication of a heightened focus on maritime law enforcement in the region.

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This indicates that the functions to be performed, we could expect more law enforcement functions for this year.

Furthermore, the AFP recorded a rise in research and survey vessels, with 44 different ships observed in the first half of 2026, up from 33 the previous year. Of these, 16 exhibited erratic tracks, suggesting active survey and research operations across various strategic areas, including the West Philippine Sea, the northern passage, Bashi Channel, Balintang Channel, and extending to Benham Rise.

Despite the overall shift, Chinese vessels remain present in key Philippine features. From August 11 to 17, the AFP documented 23 Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, Panatag Shoal, and Pag-asa Island. These included 20 CCG ships and three Chinese navy vessels, with Ayungin Shoal hosting the highest concentration of 11 CCG vessels.

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Of those numbers, 16 had erratic tracks that would indicate the conduct of survey and research activities, covering the West Philippine Sea, our northern passage, Bashi Channel, Balintang Channel, all the way up to Benham Rise.