The Philippines claims China’s largest coast guard vessel has anchored in Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Beijing’s new move in the South China Sea waters is meant to intimidate the country. The Chinese Coast Guard’s 165-metre “monster ship” entered Manila’s 200-nautical mile EEZ on July 2, PCG Spokesperson Jay Tarriela said. The Chinese ship, which has also deployed a small boat, was anchored 800 yards away from the PCG’s vessel, Tarriela alleged. Meanwhile, the Philippines military has now called on China to return the firearms that its coast guard seized from Filipino navy personnel. Manila’s army also asked Beijing to pay around $1 million in compensation for damaging vessels involved in last month’s resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal.