Exclusive: Chinese Navy warship rescues Filipino fisherman in South China Sea, provides humanitarian aid
A Chinese PLA Navy sailor provides humanitarian aid to a Filipino fisherman. Photo: source
A Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warship on Thursday rendered humanitarian aid to a Filipino fisherman in distress in the South China Sea, providing food and water and notifying a nearby Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel for follow-up assistance, according to videos and photos obtained by the Global Times from relevant authorities.
The Global Times learned that the Chinese warship of the PLA Navy (Hull 174) spotted a small fishing boat around noon on Thursday while conducting routine operations. A man on board the fishing boat waved a white sign at the Chinese vessel, bobbing it up and down in an apparent cry for help and showing signs of physical distress.
A Filipino fisherman is seen seeking help from a Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warship at sea. Photo: Source
After assessing that the fishing boat was seeking help, the warship changed course and approached the scene. Upon closer observation, the sign read “Help,” prompting the warship to deploy a small boat to further assess the situation. Upon investigation, the individual on board the fishing boat identified himself as a Filipino fisherman who had left Subic and suffered an engine failure, leaving him stranded at sea without food or water for three days and three nights.
Chinese sailors aboard the small boat provided the fisherman with bottled water and compressed biscuits and informed him that nearby PCG vessels would be requested to provide further assistance.
A Filipino fisherman bows to Chinese PLA Navy sailors after receiving humanitarian aid. Photo: source
Video footage shows the fisherman repeatedly clasping his hands and expressing thanks in English after receiving the supplies. Chinese naval personnel reassured him that there was “enough food and water” and told him not to worry, informing him that the Philippine side would be contacted for further assistance. The fisherman nodded and bowed again in response.
Using a very high frequency (VHF) radio, the Chinese Navy warship then contacted PCG Vessel No. 4408, relaying the exact coordinates of the fishing boat and informing the PCG that food and water had already been provided. The Chinese side requested that the PCG immediately arrange follow-up assistance, to which the PCG responded: “Roger, sir.”
A Chinese expert noted that such rescues are neither unusual nor coincidental in the South China Sea. Assistance provided by Chinese maritime authorities and naval forces to Philippine fishing vessels in the region has long been standard practice, demonstrating China’s compliance with international maritime conventions and its provision of public services.
As China’s maritime search and rescue capabilities continue to improve, assisting fishermen from neighboring countries in the South China Sea has become a normalized and long-term practice, Chen Xiangmiao, a researcher at the National Institute of South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Friday.
He noted that in waters under Chinese jurisdiction, Chinese maritime forces are carrying out search and rescue operations in accordance with international conventions, demonstrating China’s responsibility in providing public maritime services.
Chen also pointed out that since June, the Philippines has launched the so-called “New Fisherman Heroes” program, encouraging fishermen to expand their operations in the waters around Huangyan Dao and Nansha Islands. Even though such activities are presented by the Philippine side as a form of assertive behavior, many fishing boats involved lack adequate operational capabilities in distant waters, increasing the risk of maritime accidents, he said.
“For China, rescuing ships in distress in these waters is a purely humanitarian and routine public service, regardless of the political context of the Philippine side,” Chen added.
Similar rescues have taken place in the past. According to PLA Daily, the Chinese Navy’s No. 630 hull warship once provided emergency aid to an injured Filipino fisherman near Ren’ai Jiao in the South China Sea. The fisherman had suffered serious foot injuries after being hit by a propeller and was bleeding profusely. The Chinese warship transferred the injured fisherman on board, administered emergency medical treatment and provided him with food, drinking water, medicine and bandages, as well as written instructions for follow-up care.
