China’s ‘monster ship’ returns to disputed waters amid talks to ease territorial tensions with the Philippines

A massive China Coast Guard ship was deployed to disputed waters amid talks with the Philippines to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea.

The gargantuan China Coast Guard (CCG) 5901 vessel, which measures 541 feet long, entered the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on July 2, a few weeks after a violent confrontation in the contested Ayungin Shoal.

Footage shows a Philippine Coast Guard crew member issuing a radio challenge and informing the CCG vessel that it was sailing in the Philippines' EEZ on July 5.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the 'monster ship' was anchored in Escoda Shoal, parked around 800 yards away from the PCG's BRP Teresa Magbanua ship.

PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said: 'It's an intimidation on the part of the China Coast Guard. We're not going to pull out and we're not going to be intimidated.'

The Chinese ship was deployed as Philippine and Chinese diplomats met in Manila on July 2 to defuse tensions in the disputed waterway.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: 'There was substantial progress on developing measures to manage the situation at sea, but significant differences remain.'

It added that both sides 'agreed to continue discussions to find mutually-acceptable resolution to the issues.'

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said: 'The Chinese side urges the Philippine side to stop maritime infringement and provocation at once, earnestly abide by the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), return to the right track of properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation, jointly manage the situation at Ren'ai Jiao with the Chinese side, promote the easing and cooling down of the maritime situation, and stabilize China-Philippines relations from further deterioration.'

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.