China’s FONOPs
By: Manuel Mogato | Published: January 11, 2025
Reading Time: 5 minutes
The Philippines sent a Coast Guard vessel and a slow plane to track the movement of China’s largest law enforcement vessel, CCG 5901, which steamed slowly at about 2 knots some 55 nautical miles west of Zambales.
A Philippine Coast Guard vessel circled CCG 5901, also known as the “monster” Chinese Coast Guard ship, challenging it to move away and leave the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
But, the Chinese vessel ignored the warning, responding that it was on patrol in China’s sovereign waters.
Jonathan Malaya, a senior official at the National Security Council, said the Chinese Coast Guard ship was sailing within the country’s maritime zones to scare local fishermen.
It might be true but China could be doing what the United States has long been doing in disputed waters in the South China Sea – conducting freedom of navigation operations patrols (FONOPs).
There were times when the United States Navy’s Arleigh Burke-guided missile destroyers sailed within 12 nautical miles of territorial waters of Chinese artificial islands in the South China Sea.
When this happened China sent ships to shadow the US Navy’s destroyer, infuriating Beijing which sent a strongly worded diplomatic protest to Washington.
Beijing appeared helpless in preventing the US Navy’s FONOPS. Sometimes, a US Coast Guard vessel and a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense (JMSDF) destroyer joined a US Navy carrier strike force in patrolling the disputed waters.
Both sides have been trying to prevent a potential conflict in the South China Sea. They played a very dangerous game, which could lead to an accident that could precipitate a war.
As Beijing built a credible anti-access and area denial (A2AD) capability, the US FONOPS have lessened.
Now, it was China’s turn to conduct its own FONOPs version, sending its Navy, Coast Guard, and militia vessels to Southeast Asian states’ maritime zones – Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
China claimed almost the entire South China Sea, disregarding international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
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China is attempting to create a buffer zone in the South China Sea, militarizing artificial islands to keep the US and its allies from patrolling the strategic waterway where about $3 trillion worth of annual trade passes.
In a way, China was also testing how Southeast Asian states, including the Philippines, would respond to such blatant intrusions into maritime zones.
China has been acting like the United States in the disputed seas. Its warships also sail frequently near the Philippine territorial waters.
China’s People Liberation Army-Navy vessels have been sighted around Bajo de Masinloc, Escoda Shoal, and even in Hasa-Hasa Shoal.
One time, a Chinese warship ran aground in Hasa-Hasa Shoal and had to be towed away for repairs.
China could also wear down Southeast Asian states by continuously sending hundreds of vessels in the South China Sea because they lacked assets to match Beijing’s superior numbers.
It’s a tactic that China has been doing for years in Taiwan. Taipei cannot afford to scramble fighters to challenge waves and waves of Chinese aircraft entering its airspace or sending out ships to confront Chinese vessels around the self-rule island.
Taiwan was in a better position to respond to Chinese provocation. The Philippines has very limited air and naval capability. It has to rely on its allies, like Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States to show the flag in the South China Sea.
It would take decades before the Philippines can probably match the military capabilities of its well-equipped neighbors, like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
But, at least, it can afford now to send a Coast Guard vessel to challenge China’s oversized Coast Guard vessel.
By the time Ferdinand Marcos Jr. steps down from power in 2028, the Philippines would be in a better position to patrol its vast maritime zones and show the flag in disputed areas.
It would have an additional two guided-missile frigates, two missile-corvettes, six offshore patrol vessels in addition to three ex-Cyclone class cutters, three ex-Hamilton cutters, a former South Korean corvette, and three ex-Peacock class patrol boats.
The Philippines could also deploy additional Indian BrahMos shore-to-ship missiles, and the US could deploy more long-range HIMARS and Typhon mid-range capability.
The Philippine Coast Guard would have additional 97-meter patrol boats to beef up BRP Gabriela Silang, Melchora Aquino, and Teresa Magbanua.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will also have additional vessels, the Philippines’ militia version.
Perhaps by that time, China would be more cautious and sail farther out in the high seas.
It would think twice before violating the country’s EEZ because there would be more vessels with longer endurance and credible firepower to cause damage.
The Philippines would not match China’s naval and coast guard power. It is the largest in the world, perhaps greater in number than the United States.
But the Philippines can improve its deterrence capability with the help of its close allies and like-minded countries in the region.
It will no longer be a pushover with World War II vintage ships.
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