Two Chinese frigates shadow Blue Ridge near Panatag

MANILA, Philippines - As the territorial row between China and Vietnam continues in the Paracels, two Chinese missile-firing frigates shadowed the USS Blue Ridge, the command and control ship of the United States 7th Fleet, near Panatag Shoal in Zambales on Friday.

The two Chinese warships – a guided-missile frigate and a guided-missile destroyer with bow numbers 572 and 170 – kept their distance from the Blue Ridge but their presence heightened the maritime tension in the region.

Cmdr.  William Marks, US 7th Fleet public affairs officer, said the presence of missile-firing Chinese warships in the area was detected by MH-60 helicopter. The aircraft is part of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12.

“Chinese People’s Liberation Army (Navy) vessels are seen from an MH-60 helicopter assigned to the USS Blue Ridge while conducting flight operations in support of the maritime security operations in the South China Sea,” Marks said.

He added that both Chinese warships did not attempt to communicate with the Blue Ridge unlike other vessels, including rigs of Filipino fishermen sailing in the area, which are usually challenged by Chinese vessels deployed near Panatag Shoal.

USS Blue Ridge was en route to Thailand and just passing by Panatag Shoal when it detected the presence of Chinese warships.

The passage of the Blue Ridge and its conduct of flight operations near Panatag Shoal coincided with last Friday’s combined mock naval assault of Filipino troops and US servicemen on the beach of nearby San Antonio town in mainland Zambales.