50 Chinese ships swarm close to Ayungin Shoal.

50 Chinese ships swarm close to Ayungin Shoal.

An American marine security analyst reported seeing over 50 Chinese warships close to Ayungin Shoal before the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rotated and resupplied to BRP Sierra Madre.

Former US Air Force official and former Defense Attaché Ray Powell stated last Thursday on X (formerly Twitter) that there are more Chinese vessels in Mischief Reef or Panganiban Reef than there were a week before.

The majority of China's marine militia rotation has been stationed around Mischief Reef, Powell said. "The Qiong Sansha Yu fleet has increased from 14 last week to 35 now, plus 15 smaller ships."

Powell speculates that China may stay until the Philippines' next resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal.

Powell speculated that China would maintain a significant troop presence there until after the adjacent 2nd Thomas Shoal in the Philippines receives its next resupply.

Powell reported last week that 27 ships of the Qiong Sansha Yu class had been deployed eastward to Scarborough Shoal and south of the Spratly Islands.

Powell said in December of last year that the Chinese ships were in "invasion" mode close to Ayungin Shoal; the AFP refuted this claim.

Since 1999, BRP Sierra Madre has been anchored near Ayungin Shoal. Over a dozen sailors and Marines are on board. It now serves as a representation of Philippine sovereignty over the offshore area.

On the other hand, resupply trips to the BRP Sierra Madre have grown more challenging due to Chinese warships interfering with Philippine vessels' access to the area.

In addition to being a part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, Ayungin Shoal is also a member of the Kalayaan Island Group, over which the nation possesses sovereignty, sovereign rights, and authority.

A string of incidents in the South China Sea has led to accusations between China and the Philippines, which has resulted in increased tensions between the two countries in recent months.

The majority of the South China Sea is claimed by China; however, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia also have claims to some of this area.

China denies Beijing's assertion that an international tribunal rejected its claim in a 2016 verdict on a dispute brought by the Philippines.

As part of the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippines includes portions of the South China Sea that are located within its continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).