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Debris of Long March-12 rocket falls into predesignated drop zones in international waters, sources say, refuting Philippine official's claims

Global Times

By Deng Xiaoci Published: Aug 06, 2025 11:40 AM

Sources confirmed to the Global Times on Wednesday that the debris from China's recently launched Long March-12 rocket had fallen into predesignated drop zones in international waters, which aligns with the mission designs, safety notices to surrounding countries and is in accordance with international practice.

Sources familiar with the rocket launch mission dismissed claims by Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, who alleged that suspected debris from a Chinese carrier rocket posed a clear danger near expected drop zones, as reported by AP. They refuted the claims as reflecting an unfriendly stance and efforts by the current Philippine government to undermine China's image.

China launched a Long March-12 carrier rocket on Monday, sending a group of internet satellites into space. The rocket lifted off at 6:21 pm from the Hainan Commercial Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, Xinhua reported.

According to the AP, the top Philippine security official in a Tuesday statement condemned the "irresponsible testing" of the Long March-12 rocket, claiming "it alarmed the public and placed the people of Palawan at risk."

However, based on the information provided by the sources contacted by the Global Times on Wednesday, the facts tell a different story.

Technically speaking, the first stage and fairing of a rocket have designated drop zones located in international waters. These components do not burn up; their descent is planned within controlled areas, which is standard international practice for both the US or China, the sources explained.

Moreover, safety warnings are always issued in advance, they added.

Global Times reporters noticed that the Philippines' National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office issued a relevant notice on X on Monday, citing the Philippine Space Agency. The notice read that "the public is advised to immediately inform local authorities of any suspected debris sighted at sea or on land."

In a notice by the Philippine Space Agency on its own official website on Monday, the agency stated that unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, is designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses a danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels passing through the drop zone."

And an illustration issued by the Philippine Space Agency, the drop zones of the rocket debris clearly shows that the rocket debris drop zones are in waters about 21 nautical miles from the coast of Puerto Princesa of Palawan and some 18 nautical miles from the Tubbataha Reefs National Park.

Notably, there are also some differing and reasonable voices from Manila as the matter develops.

Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Press Officer of Malacañang Palace Claire Castro on Wednesday said that she had spoken with Philippine Space Agency over the matter and said that there is no cause for concern for now, Philippine local media ABS-CBN reported.

When asked whether action would be taken, Castro said they will have to study any potential violation first. However, for now, no apparent violation has been found, the Palace official said, according to the report.

The Philippine national security adviser himself reported no immediate injuries or damage from the rocket debris, according to the AP.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated that China consistently conducts peaceful space activities in accordance with international law and practices. From the development phase of space projects, China has integrated requirements for debris mitigation and deorbiting measures for launch vehicles and satellites entering orbit.