Two Chinese research vessels are operating in the vicinity of waters of Scarborough Shoal, the director of the SeaLight project that monitors Chinese maritime activity in the West Philippine Sea, said on Wednesday.

In his X (Twitter) post, retired US Air Force Col. Ray Powell identified the two Chinese research vessels as Xiang Yang Hong 10 and Zhu Hai Yun.

He said Xiang Yang Hong 10 is a deep-sea research ship that arrived in the area last August 15 while Zhu Hai Yun, an autonomous mothership that can deploy over 50 air, surface and subsea drones arrived last Aug. 18.

Powell said the two Chinese research vessels were "both operating south of the shoal."

He noted that the "dual presence follows Aug. 11, collision between People Republic of China Navy and Coast Guard Ships while pursuing a smaller Philippine Coast Guard vessel near the shoal". Robina Asido/DMS