Philippines Vows Response as China Deploys Amphibious Assault Ship Near Disputed Islands

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy deployed an amphibious assault ship to the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea (SCS) on June 14, a day ahead of a new Chinese “law” to detain “trespassers” in waters claimed by Beijing.

China's Type 075  amphibious assault ship, was spotted near the Zhubi Reef on Friday, even as the Philippines Navy vowed to take measures to safeguard Philippines territory, Manila based media reported.

Earlier,  another main amphibious warship of the PLA Navy, a Type 071 amphibious landing ship, hosted hovercraft drills near Xianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands on June 4.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said it would continue its maritime patrols in areas within the Philippines' jurisdiction, in response to China’s anti-tresspassing law.

The Chinese policy would allow their coast guard (CCG) to detain erring foreigners for up to 60 days.

"China's so-called anti-trespassing policy undermines the rule of law and international norms that govern maritime conduct. The presence and actions of its vessels in our waters are illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive. We will not be deterred or intimidated," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.

Ahead of the implementation of the CCG's new procedures on Saturday, the Philippine coast guard sent vessels to the Huangyan Island in SCS, according to open-source intelligence data gathered by Chinese technology and intelligence company MizarVision.

The Type 075 amphibous assault will allow the PLA-N marines to take control of key islands and prepare the ground for a larger naval force to try and enforce Beijing writ over the disputed islands.