Problems Arise Just Hours After Qin Gang Wrapped Up a Diplomatic Repair Mission to the Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (R) listens to Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (L) during a visit to Malacanang Palace in Manila. Handout / Presidential Communications Office (PCO) / AFP

A tense stand-off played out on Sunday in disputed waters off the Philippines when a pair of coast guard vessels were closely followed by a Chinese Coast Guard ship and other unidentified vessels that are presumed to be Chinese fishing trawlers.

Satellite data monitored at Stanford University in California tracked the showdown that revealed the Philippines Coast Guard ships being blocked by the Chinese vessels from reaching a Filipino landing craft known as the Sierra Madre that serves as a territorial claim in the South China/West Philippines Sea.

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