China News
FLOATING STEEL
Philippines says 3 Chinese ships spotted near islets close to Taiwan
Philippines says 3 Chinese ships spotted near islets close to Taiwan
by AFP Staff Writers
Manila (AFP) Aug 8, 2025

Three Chinese coast guard vessels were being monitored in the waters off remote islands in the northern Philippines near Taiwan, maritime officials in Manila said on Friday.

The vessels were first spotted on Thursday, a day after a YouTube video appeared in which Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said there was no way Manila could stay out of conflict if China invaded Taiwan.

China considers self-ruled Taiwan to be part of its territory and has threatened to seize it by force.

The three Chinese vessels were spotted near Batanes province, a remote group of sparsely populated islets north of the Philippines' largest island, Luzon.

An aircraft was deployed on Friday to monitor the "irregular movements" of the three Chinese ships near the Batanes islands, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement.

China Coast Guard ship 4304 was located about 140 kilometres (85 miles) west of Sabtang town but bad weather prevented authorities from getting close to the locations of the other two vessels, it said.

Marcos said in an interview with Indian news agency Firstpost that, in the event of a confrontation between China and the United States over Taiwan, "there is no way that the Philippines can stay out of it simply because of our physical geographic location".

"If there is an all-out war, then we will be drawn into it," he said in the interview, which was uploaded on YouTube on Wednesday.

He also said many Filipinos living in Taiwan would need to be rescued and repatriated.

China has lodged a protest with the Philippines over Marcos's remarks.

"We urge the Philippines to earnestly abide by the one-China principle... and refrain from playing (with) fire on issues concerning China's core interests," a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Related Links
Naval Warfare in the 21st Century

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
FLOATING STEEL
Mitsubishi Heavy to build new Australian naval fleet
Washington DC (UPI) Aug 5, 2025
The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group announced Tuesday that the Australian government has chosen it to build a new fleet of warships for the nation's navy. The Japanese shipbuilder said in a press release that Australia selected the upgraded version of Mitsubishi's 4,800-ton type Mogami-class frigate for its new general-purpose frigates. "We believe that the decision made by the Australian government is based on its evaluation of our frigate's proven performance, reliability, technology ... read more

FLOATING STEEL
Six Chinese universities to launch new low altitude space major this fall

International deep space alliance launched in Hefei China

China launches international association to boost global access to deep space research

Chinese Long March Rockets Make International Debut at Paris Air Show

FLOATING STEEL
India exporters say 50% Trump levy a 'severe setback'

Higher US tariffs kick in for dozens of trading partners

China exports top forecasts as EU, ASEAN shipments offset US drop

Asian markets rise as traders look past Trump chip threat

FLOATING STEEL
FLOATING STEEL
Philippines' Marcos in India as navies hold joint drills

Confederate memorial returning to Arlington Cemetery: Pentagon chief

Trump confirms US envoy Witkoff to travel to Russia in coming week

Putin says wants lasting peace in Ukraine; Zelensky urges allies to seek 'regime change' in Russia

FLOATING STEEL
Diatoms shown to absorb and store uranium inside cells

Idaho Lab teams with Amazon to fast track AI driven nuclear energy systems

Russia wants to mine Niger's uranium, energy minister says

Three drones detected in Japan nuclear plant

FLOATING STEEL
Far-right German MP's ex-aide on trial for spying for China; Australian police charge Chinese national with 'foreign interference'

Far-right German MP's ex-aide on trial for spying for China

Palantir gets US Army contract worth up to $10 bln

Macau ex-lawmaker arrested in city's first national security law action

FLOATING STEEL
Diatoms shown to absorb and store uranium inside cells

Idaho Lab teams with Amazon to fast track AI driven nuclear energy systems

Russia wants to mine Niger's uranium, energy minister says

Three drones detected in Japan nuclear plant

FLOATING STEEL
'Let's go fly a kite': Capturing wind for clean energy in Ireland

'Let's go fly a kite': Capturing wind for clean energy in Ireland

Germany, wind power groups seek to cut China reliance

Drone swarm explores turbulent airflows near wind turbines

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.