Records from decades of amateur radio transmissions have resurfaced, providing evidence that the Philippines formally acknowledged in the past that Huangyan Dao does not lie within Philippine territory. This is according to archival documents presented by leaders of Chinese expeditions in an interview with China Media Group.
Chen Ping, who led several Chinese amateur radio expeditions to Huangyan Dao in the 1990s, stated that the Philippine Amateur Radio Association consulted with relevant government authorities after the Chinese Radio Sports Association requested registration of Huangyan Dao as a separate entity within the internationally recognized DXCC (DX Century Club) program.
According to Chen, the Philippine side confirmed in its response that Huangyan Dao does not fall under the territorial sovereignty of the Philippines. He said this removed obstacles for completing the registration process.
The application was submitted in 1994. The American amateur radio league ARRL, which manages the DXCC program, officially recognized Huangyan Dao as a separate DXCC entity in January 1996 and approved a unique amateur radio call sign, BS7H.
Call signs are assigned within the international amateur radio system based on territorial affiliation. The letter "B" denotes China, and the letter "H" refers to Huangyan Dao. Therefore, according to the article, the call sign BS7H designates Huangyan Dao as part of the Chinese amateur radio call sign system.
Chen stated that Chinese amateur radio operators conducted four expeditions to Huangyan Dao between 1994 and 2007. Before these expeditions began, they obtained approval from Chinese authorities to set up temporary radio stations on the island.
Recalling the 1997 expedition, Chen said that Philippine personnel approached the Chinese team, arriving at the site by patrol boat and airplane. He said they were interested in the activities of the expedition but did not raise any territorial claims or demands and subsequently left the area.
Chen added that during subsequent expeditions, he carried extensive documentation, including correspondence related to the application for inclusion in the DXCC program. These materials served as evidence of China's jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao.
The amateur radio call sign BS7H remains officially recognized to this day. According to Chen, it represents a lasting record of Chinese presence and activities on Huangyan Dao.
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