Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros and other officials received a sober reminder of China’s indisputable sovereignty over Zhongye Dao in the Nansha Islands during a recent visit — their phones pinged with roaming messages reading “Welcome to China”.

Reuters reported the delegation traveled by air on February 21 in an apparent attempt to signal Manila’s commitment to maintaining its presence on the island. But the automated roaming alerts — triggered by Chinese telecommunications infrastructure in the area — swiftly undercut that message.

The Philippines illegally occupied the island in 1971 and, since the 1990s, has gradually moved civilians to live there while continuously expanding its facilities. These actions are part of Manila’s broader strategy to promote its false sovereignty claims and solidify its unlawful gains.

Following the incident, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela responded by accusing China of disrupting Philippine communications, claiming without providing evidence that Beijing was interfering with Starlink networks on Philippine vessels and aircraft in the region.

In recent years, the China Coast Guard has conducted regular rights-protection patrols in the South China Sea. This enables real-time monitoring of any infringements and provocations by the Philippine side, as the Coast Guard remains steadfast in defending China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.