The Philippines’ foreign ministry has accused China of mischaracterizing an arrangement allowing the unimpeded resupply of Filipino troops stationed on a beached naval vessel in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, the two countries reached a “provisional arrangement” regarding resupply missions to soldiers stationed at the Sierra Madre, a naval vessel deliberately grounded in 1999 by Manila to reinforce its maritime claims, following repeated clashes in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
Philippine foreign ministry spokesperson Teresita Daza stated on Saturday that the resupply mission that day was completed without incident, with Chinese coast guard vessels at a “reasonable distance.” However, her Chinese counterpart claimed that China’s coast guard was notified beforehand and had “let the vessel through” after an “on-the-scene confirmation.”
Daza expressed her disappointment on Sunday, calling China’s characterization of the resupply mission “unfortunate.” She stated, “Instead of acknowledging how two countries were able to manage differences in order to avoid miscalculation and misunderstanding, the spokesperson chose to misrepresent what has been agreed between the Philippines and China.” The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
While details of the arrangement between China and the Philippines remain undisclosed, both countries have asserted that the agreement aims to ease tensions in the waterway. Daza emphasized, “The understanding between the Philippines and China was concluded in good faith, with the explicit agreement that it will not prejudice national positions. It is not helpful to keep giving false notions about what has been agreed on and how they were implemented.”
In a separate statement on Sunday, the Philippines’ South China Sea task force clarified that Manila did not seek Chinese permission to resupply its soldiers. They stated, “There was also no boarding and inspection by the Chinese Coast Guard.”
The Second Thomas Shoal, located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, is claimed by China. Last month, a Filipino navy sailor sustained a finger injury during a confrontation between the Chinese coast guard and the Philippine navy. China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea based on historical maps, a claim that an arbitral tribunal ruled in 2016 lacked any basis under international law.
