Chinese Embassy Denies Dredging Vessel Seized Came from China

Chinese Embassy Denies Claims of Dredging Vessel Seized in Manila Bay

The Chinese Embassy in Manila denies claims that the dredging vessel seized by Philippine authorities in Bataan was from China.

Based on the report of GMA News, the Chinese Embassy said that the dredging ship was not registered in China and the MV Zhonhai 68 is not a Chinese ship. The embassy also said that there’s no Chinese national on the ship when apprehension happens.

“Initial investigation on the identity of MV Zhonhai 68 by relevant Chinese authorities has shown that the ship is not registered in China and not a Chinese ship,” the embassy said, days after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) identified the ship as a “Chinese dredger type vessel.”

Chinese Dredging Vessel — Image Source: Inquirer

With the joint operatives of PCG and Bureau of Customs (BOC), they apprehended the illegal dredging vessel docked at the Manila Bay two years ago after a dredging operation in Masinloc, Zambales. It was learned that the vessel has a lack of permits.

According to the report, the two Cambodian crewmembers failed to present proper documents during the inspection. The embassy said International Maritime Organization (IMO) shows the ship with an IMO number of 8692665, is under the flag of Sierra Leone.

“The embassy hopes that any responsible remarks and reports should be based on facts, rather than speculation and misinformation. China is ready to render further assistance to the Philippine authorities concerned in its investigation, should there be such a need,” it added.

Meanwhile, Former First Representative Neri Colmenares urged PCG to also look at the location of Zhonhai 88, which was photographed with Zhonhai 68 in Bajo de Masinloc in February 2019.

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