Philippines 'firmly and strongly' rejects China's claim over Batanes waters

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday (October 2) "firmly and strongly" rejected the Chinese Embassy in Manila's assertion that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction in waters off Batanes. The department said the Chinese research and survey vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 was detected about 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes — well within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone — and that the Philippine Coast Guard was conducting lawful law-enforcement operations. Citing Article 246 of UNCLOS, Manila said marine research requires the coastal state's consent and that China had made no request; the Chinese embassy claimed the ship was conducting "normal operations in waters under China's jurisdiction."

Source: THEPHILBIZNEWS, October 2, 2026. https://thephilbiznews.com/2026/10/02/ph-to-china-marine-research-off-batanes-unauthorized/