Footage obtained from a reliable source by Yuyuantantian, a media outlet affiliated with China Media Group, has exposed a fleet of dozens of Philippine boats engaging in performative fishing activities in China's territorial waters near Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea.
The video, shot on Oct 8, shows the Philippine boats, upon arriving near Huangyan Dao and Xianbin Jiao, did not engage in fishing activities but instead lingered idly, with fishing rods and clothes hanging on the decks of some vessels.
According to the source, these so-called fishermen, who are not local to the area, were solicited from elsewhere in the Philippines and guided to the area by Philippine government vessels.
Their activities also did not align with established deep-sea fishing patterns around Huangyan Dao. Genuine deep-sea operations are long-term and typically rely on night fishing to attract fish, while the Philippine side's activity took place only in daytime, according to the source.
Far from conducting fishing, the operation appears to be a publicity stunt orchestrated for media attention, said Yuyuantantian.
Video captures performative fishing activities by Philippine boats in South China Sea
Video captures performative fishing activities by Philippine boats in South China Sea
Video captures performative fishing activities by Philippine boats in South China Sea
