Navy: Chinese aircraft carrier held flight ops in PH's EEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong (CV 17) conducted flight operations within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Philippine Navy said on Monday.

The Navy also said Shandong was last spotted 123 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, on April 26.

Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad revealed that they also monitored an unidentified fighter jet approaching the aircraft carrier's flight deck on the same day.

“Last April 25, it was monitored again; this time, reversing from east to west direction until the middle of April 26,” Trinidad said in a press conference on Monday.



READ: Navy: 8 ‘escorts’ of Chinese carrier Shandong also seen off North Luzon

“The Shandong was in the company of another warship, and they were conducting flight deck operations. This was approximately 123 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte,” he added.

Asked if the presence of the Shandong “interferes” with this year’s ongoing Balikatan exercise, Trinidad said “no.”

“The conduct of flight deck operations in the span of international waters, although within our EEZ, but out of our territorial seas, they are permitted under the Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas,” he explained.

However, Trinidad said the presence of the aircraft carrier and other Chinese vessels raises concern in the Navy, which is why they are “monitoring them closely.”

Last April 24, Trinidad announced that nine ships, including the Shandong, were first monitored about 300 nautical miles off Burgos.

Trinidad said six warships, destroyers, frigates, and two support vessels were accompanying the aircraft carrier.

Since January, Philippine authorities have monitored the movements of China Coast Guard vessels that have been “unlawfully operating” within the Philippines' EEZ..

Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its claim over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.

(2025/04/28-14:37)