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Miami Herald
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Responds to Chinese Activity in Disputed Waters
South Korea dispatched a coast guard vessel last week to monitor Chinese survey ships operating in a contested part of the Yellow Sea, according to Stanford-affiliated maritime analysis group SeaLight. Newsweek reached out to the Korean coast guard and Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with requests for comment outside office hours. The Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) was established by a 2001 agreement between China and South Korea to allow joint fishing in the area where their exclusive economic zones overlap. Other activities, including scientific surveys, are not explicitly permitted and generally require consent from the other party. Analysts have accused Chinese civilian research vessels of suspicious behavior and raised concerns that they gather intelligence-such as on natural resources, undersea cables and local military activities-that could be used by the People's Liberation Army to strengthen China's position in disputed areas. Vessel-tracking data shared by SeaLight showed that four Chinese research vessels entered the PMZ on June 15, reportedly for a "water quality investigation," according to Beijing. In a ship-tracking illustration shared to X (formerly Twitter) by SeaLight director Ray Powell, a South Korean Coast Guard cutter was seen moving in to monitor the Chinese survey ships. China responded by dispatching one of its own coast guard vessels on June 24 to provide escort. The research vessels were still in the area as of Saturday, Powell said. The PMZ has already been a source of tension over the presence of two Chinese aquaculture cages and a former oil rig, roughly the size of a football field, which Beijing installed without consulting Seoul. China has refused to remove the structure from the area. South Korean officials worry these moves may be part of broader efforts to expand China's presence in the Yellow Sea-mirroring concerns voiced by other neighbors over Beijing's activities in the South China Sea. Last month, China's decision to declare a "no-sail zone" within the PMZ for its advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, also drew a protest from Seoul over restrictions to freedom of navigation. Powell wrote on X: "China's increased unilateral activities in the PMZ carries all the marks of gray zone expansionism, and has clearly drawn the attention of the South Korean government as indicated by Korea Coast Guard deployment." Neither country had issued an official statement regarding the research ships as of the time of publication. In April, Chinese and South Korean officials held a third dialogue on maritime cooperation, which included discussions about the contentious structures in the PMZ. They agreed to hold another round of talks and to prevent the issue from impacting the development of bilateral ties, according to the South Korean press release that followed. Related Articles North Korea Ignores Trump's OverturesAmericans Detained After Trying to Send Over 1,000 Bibles to North KoreaSouth Korea's New Government Faces Alarming Social Issue'Squid Game' S3 Ending Explained: What Happens to Player No. 456 and a Hollywood Twist 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Responds to Chinese Activity in Disputed Waters
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. South Korea dispatched a coast guard vessel last week to monitor Chinese survey ships operating in a contested part of the Yellow Sea, according to Stanford-affiliated maritime analysis group SeaLight. Newsweek reached out to the Korean coast guard and Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with requests for comment outside office hours. Why It Matters The Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) was established by a 2001 agreement between China and South Korea to allow joint fishing in the area where their exclusive economic zones overlap. Other activities, including scientific surveys, are not explicitly permitted and generally require consent from the other party. Analysts have accused Chinese civilian research vessels of suspicious behavior and raised concerns that they gather intelligence—such as on natural resources, undersea cables and local military activities—that could be used by the People's Liberation Army to strengthen China's position in disputed areas. What To Know Vessel-tracking data shared by SeaLight showed that four Chinese research vessels entered the PMZ on June 15, reportedly for a "water quality investigation," according to Beijing. In a ship-tracking illustration shared to X (formerly Twitter) by SeaLight director Ray Powell, a South Korean Coast Guard cutter was seen moving in to monitor the Chinese survey ships. China responded by dispatching one of its own coast guard vessels on June 24 to provide escort. The research vessels were still in the area as of Saturday, Powell said. Sailors stand onboard South Korean coast guard ship BADARO as it arrives at port in the Indian city of Chennai on April 2, 2018. Sailors stand onboard South Korean coast guard ship BADARO as it arrives at port in the Indian city of Chennai on April 2, 2018. Arun Sankar/AFP via Getty Images The PMZ has already been a source of tension over the presence of two Chinese aquaculture cages and a former oil rig, roughly the size of a football field, which Beijing installed without consulting Seoul. China has refused to remove the structure from the area. South Korean officials worry these moves may be part of broader efforts to expand China's presence in the Yellow Sea—mirroring concerns voiced by other neighbors over Beijing's activities in the South China Sea. Last month, China's decision to declare a "no-sail zone" within the PMZ for its advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, also drew a protest from Seoul over restrictions to freedom of navigation. What People Are Saying Powell wrote on X: "China's increased unilateral activities in the PMZ carries all the marks of gray zone expansionism, and has clearly drawn the attention of the South Korean government as indicated by Korea Coast Guard deployment." What's Next Neither country had issued an official statement regarding the research ships as of the time of publication. In April, Chinese and South Korean officials held a third dialogue on maritime cooperation, which included discussions about the contentious structures in the PMZ. They agreed to hold another round of talks and to prevent the issue from impacting the development of bilateral ties, according to the South Korean press release that followed.
