Last weekend, a huge Chinese coastguard ship, nicknamed “the monster,” was spotted in contested waters. This massive vessel, measuring 165 meters long (around 180 yards), is actually the biggest coastguard ship in the world. It was seen hanging around Scarborough Shoal, which China calls Huangyan Island, an area that often heats up in the South China Sea. The Philippine coastguard, with their ship BRP Cabra, even recorded a video where they radioed the Chinese ship, asking it to vacate Philippine waters. They said something like, “CCG 5901, this is BRP Cabra, MMRV 4409. Just a reminder that you’re 72.6 nautical miles west-southwest of Silanguin, Zambales, in the Philippine exclusive economic zone. Please leave this area immediately. Over.” As of Monday night, the Philippine coastguard mentioned that the Chinese vessel was still lurking around, with its last known spot about 148 kilometers (80 nautical miles) from Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro.
The Chinese Monster
