The China Coast Guard (CCG) recently held a maritime rescue exercise in waters adjacent to Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island), a move analysts said on Monday highlighted China’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over the island in the South China Sea.
With several Chinese fishing ships operating in Huangyan Dao waters, the CCG conducted the routine exercise in a move to ensure the safety of personnel on the vessels, the Global Times learned.
The exercise simulated a scenario in which personnel fell into the sea, prompting the CCG Ship Chuanshan to immediately launch rescue procedures, according to a video published by official media on Monday.
A small boat released by the Chuanshan quickly approached and retrieved the mock rescue target and brought it back to the mothership, before medical staff on the Chuanshan applied first aid, the video showed.
Official media also for the first time published an aerial photography video on Huangyan Dao in early summer.
The routine exercise is the representation a reflection of the constant presence of the CCG around Huangyan Dao, and it is completely legitimate and normal that the CCG holds this kind of drill around the Chinese island, an expert familiar with the matter told the Global Times.
In the event of an accident, the CCG will be ready to provide aid help to anyone in need, Chinese or foreign, the expert said.
Philippine fishing boats also often conduct fishing activities near Huangyan Dao under a temporary special arrangement reached by China and the Philippines in 2016, but Philippine fishermen are not allowed to enter its lagoon or conduct activities that could pollute or damage the island.
A set of exclusive videos obtained by the Global Times on Monday showed that a group of Philippine fishermen recently illegally landed on Huangyan Dao to conduct fishing activities, during which they not only engaged in uncivilized behavior such as spitting and urinating, but also produced and dumped domestic garbage at sea.
These moves by Filipino fishermen led to pollution to the environment on and around the beautiful island, observers said.
Coming at a time when the Philippines repeatedly stirred up trouble in the region recently, China’s intensive release of information around Huangyan Dao highlighted its sovereignty and jurisdiction over the island, analysts said.
