(China, 31st) – On the late night of the 30th, the China Coast Guard released a statement that the China Coast Guard had conducted law enforcement patrols in the territorial waters of China’s Huangyan Island and surrounding areas that day. The Coast Guard attached a short video showcasing the law enforcement scene, in which what appears to be a PLA J-16 fighter jet makes an appearance. It communicates with the Coast Guard’s Chuanshan vessel at sea, saying, “We jointly safeguard Huangyan.”
The announcement said that since July, the China Coast Guard has continued to strengthen law enforcement patrols in the territorial waters of Huangyan Island and surrounding areas, and has taken necessary actions such as issuing verbal warnings, intercepting and controlling, and water cannon spraying to drive away illegal, infringing, and harassing vessels, in order to further strengthen control of the relevant waters and firmly safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
The attached short video shows a scenario on July 23rd in which the Philippine 3012 vessel intruded into the waters of Huangyan Island, and the China Coast Guard 3302 vessel, known as the “Chuanshan”, immediately issued warnings and drove them away with water cannons. The scene then cuts to an aircraft flying overhead, apparently a PLA J-16, which communicates with Chuanshan, saying, “Hello Coast Guard Chuanshan, I am the Air Force aircraft above you. Together, we safeguard Huangyan. Wishing you success.”
Chuanshan responded, “Together, we safeguard Huangyan. Wishing you safety.”
According to the “Southern Theater Command” WeChat official account, on July 30th, the PLA Southern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to conduct combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters and airspace of Huangyan Island and their surrounding maritime and air zones. Huangyan Island is China’s inherent territory. Since July, the theater’s troops have continuously enhanced patrol and vigilance in the sea and air areas surrounding Huangyan Island’s territorial waters, effectively responding to various acts of infringement and provocation, firmly defending national sovereignty and security, and resolutely maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea region.