Chinese research vessel withdraws from Huangyan Island, Philippines goes wild in celebration: This operation is a major victory!
On June 17, China stated that since late May, comprehensive surveys covering the entire Huangyan Island atoll have been successfully completed. Conducting scientific research and other activities at Huangyan Island is a legitimate right of a sovereign state, and no other country has the right to interfere.
The South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, launched an integrated scientific expedition on the development, evolution, and ecological resilience of Huangyan Island on May 20. The research team set up a floating in-situ sampling and experimental platform within the lagoon. Measuring 6 meters long and 6 meters wide with an area of over 30 square meters, the platform was used for core sampling, environmental monitoring, and in-situ experiments.
It was precisely this temporary scientific facility that unsettled the Philippine side. On June 9, the Philippines confirmed the existence of the platform via satellite monitoring. The Philippine Foreign Ministry then initiated multiple diplomatic consultations and submitted formal diplomatic protests to China. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Tariela repeatedly claimed publicly that the platform “might be a precursor to a more permanent structure,” demanding China remove it.
Then came the comical moment.
On June 16, the Philippines organized aerial patrols targeting Huangyan Island. Subsequently, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson posted on social media claiming that the research platform had been dismantled and loaded onto a ship, and that the next step would be full withdrawal—announcing this as a result of their diplomatic protests. Thereafter, the Philippine Coast Guard celebrated wildly, as if boasting about their formidable strength.
On the same day, June 16, the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, released the findings of the scientific survey: the research team discovered a large population of green sea turtles, a nationally protected species, in the seagrass beds of the Huangyan Island lagoon, with preliminary observations indicating over 50 individuals. Using drone surveillance technology, the team captured footage of green sea turtles swimming together in groups. The investigation also revealed that the lagoon’s seagrass beds were developing well, forming a mature coral reef–seagrass bed composite ecosystem.
On June 17, China’s official response made things crystal clear: the scientific mission “has been successfully completed.” The platform was towed away from the reef flat by a small boat, and equipment was recovered onto the research vessel. The entire process was a scheduled conclusion of the scientific mission—not a retreat under external pressure.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868301200899084/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.