A Chinese PLA navy sailor provides humanitarian assistance to a Philippine fisherman. Photo: Source

A warship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Thursday rendered humanitarian assistance to a Philippine 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 has learned that the Chinese PLA Navy warship (Hull 174) spotted a small fishing boat around noon on Thursday while conducting routine operations. A man aboard the fishing boat was waving a white sign toward the Chinese vessel, moving it up and down in an apparent call for help and showing signs of physical distress. 

A Philippine fisherman is seen seeking assistance from a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warship at sea. Photo: Source

After assessing that the fishing boat was seeking assistance, the warship altered course and approached the scene. Upon closer observation, the sign was found to read "Help me," prompting the warship to deploy a small boat to further assess the situation. After inquiries, the individual on the fishing boat identified himself as a Philippine fisherman who had departed from 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 notified to provide further assistance. 

A Philippine fisherman bows to Chinese PLA Navy sailors after receiving humanitarian assistance. Photo: Source

Video footage shows the fisherman repeatedly pressing his hands together and expressing his 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 very high frequency (VHF) radio, the Chinese Navy warship later 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 organize follow-up assistance immediately, to which the PCG responded, "Roger, sir."

A Chinese expert noted that such rescues are neither unusual nor incidental in the South China Sea. Assistance provided by China's maritime authorities and naval forces to Philippine fishing vessels in the area has long been a routine practice, demonstrating China's fulfillment of international maritime conventions and its provision of public services.

With China's maritime search and rescue capabilities continuing to improve, assistance to fishermen from neighboring countries in the South China Sea has become a normalized, long-term practice, Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Friday.

He noted that in waters under China's jurisdiction, Chinese maritime forces conduct search and rescue operations in accordance with international conventions, demonstrating China's responsibility to provide public maritime services.

Chen also pointed out that since June, the Philippines has launched the so-called "New Hero-Fisherfolk" program, encouraging fishermen to expand operations in waters around Huangyan Dao and the Nansha Islands. While such activities are framed by the Philippine side as a form of presence-asserting behavior, many of the fishing boats involved lack adequate distant-water operating capabilities, increasing the risk of maritime accidents, he said.

"For China, rescuing vessels in distress in these waters is a purely humanitarian and routine public service, regardless of the political context attached by the Philippine side," Chen added.

Similar rescues have taken place in the past. According to the PLA Daily, the Chinese Navy's hull No. 630 warship previously provided emergency assistance to an injured Philippine fisherman near Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea. The fisherman had suffered a severe foot injury after being struck by a propeller and was bleeding heavily. The Chinese warship transferred the injured fisherman on board, administered emergency medical treatment, and supplied food, drinking water, medicines, and bandages, along with written follow-up care instructions.