Chinese research ship completes month-long mission near Scarborough Shoal

A Chinese research vessel successfully completed a month-long geological survey in waters near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea, according to a statement released by China's Ministry of Natural Resources. The Haiyang Dizhi Shihao, a 75-meter-long marine geology research vessel, carried out the survey from August 11 to September 8.

The mission aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the area's geological features and ecological environment, providing a scientific basis for managing the waters around Scarborough Shoal.

The 75-meter-long Haiyang Dizhi Shihao is equipped for marine geological, geophysical, hydrological, and environmental research. This marks the first time the vessel has been seen near the shoal, which China refers to as Huangyan Island and the Philippines call Panatag Shoal. The Philippine Armed Forces reported no signs of seabed drilling operations during the vessel's presence, stating that it was likely conducting surveillance or research activities.

Both countries claim sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, with China's claim overlapping with those of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. Beijing has controlled the shoal since 2012, and in 2024, China released baselines for the territorial sea around it. The Philippines, however, has filed its own territorial sea baselines for the shoal with the United Nations. This month, China approved the construction of a marine environmental observation station to monitor the area, which it considers part of the Zhongsha Islands.