Chinese research vessel spotted in Philippine waters as Taiwan invasion fears grow

A Chinese research vessel was seen sailing in Philippine waters as China held massive military drills near neighbouring Taiwan.

Footage shows the Chinese vessel, Tan Suo Er Hao, sailing just 19 nautical miles off Cagayan province on the northern Philippine island of Luzon, on December 30.

The 87.25-metre (286 feet) vessel reportedly served as a 'mothership for manned and unmanned deep-sea submersibles', and was spotted transiting through the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone amid sabre-rattling by China around Taiwan.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed an Islander aircraft to challenge the vessel's presence.

In a statement, PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said: 'The PCG pilot issued multiple radio challenges to the vessel, inquiring about its intentions and reminding it of the requirement for prior consent for marine scientific research in Philippine waters. The CRV Tan Suo Er Hao did not respond to any of the radio calls.'

The PCG said the vessel was deployed from Hainan in southern China earlier this month.

China this week dispatched a fleet of warships and aircraft near Taiwan, sparking concern from Western allies.

Dozens of rockets were fired near the island as China held the war games named 'Justice Mission 2025'.

Taiwan said it 'remains on high alert' today, December 31, as the Chinese ships moved away from Taiwan.

Expansionist China currently lays claim to almost the South China Sea, which is 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.