Another Chinese survey ship docks at Davao port

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A Chinese research and surveillance ship docked at the Sasa wharf in this city on Friday for a four-day visit and reportedly to replenish its supply and provisions.

Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr.,  Eastern Mindanao Command chief, said  the docking of Yuang Wang 5 has a diplomatic clearance.

Quarantine, security and immigration personnel  boarded the Chinese ship upon arrival. 

Yuang Wang 5 is part of a fleet used by the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China to track and support satellite and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

There are seven research and survey vessels under the Yuang Wang series.

Yuang Wang 3 and Yuang Wang 7 docked at Sasa wharf on June 16, 2018 and September 2018, respectively.

Officials said there is nothing unusual about port calls of Chinese ships as foreign warships and civilian vessels had made similar visits.

Several Chinese research and survey vessels also made port calls in the Philippines during the previous administrations.