The Philippine government has successfully transported food and supplies to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, marking a significant development following a deal with China to prevent clashes.
The Philippine government has transported food and other supplies to a fiercely disputed shoal occupied by a Filipino navy contingent in the South China Sea, marking the first such delivery since a deal was reached with China to prevent further confrontations.
The Second Thomas Shoal, referred to as Ayungin by Filipinos and Ren’ai Jiao by China, has been the scene of increasing tensions between Chinese and Philippine forces. However, Saturday's resupply mission proceeded without incident, according to Philippine officials.
Philippines Delivers Supplies to Disputed Shoal in South China Sea
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said in a statement that the "lawful and routine rotation and resupply mission within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone" was conducted with "close coordination among the National Security Council, Department of National Defense and the Department of Foreign Affairs."
A top Philippine security official revealed that Chinese and Philippine coast guards communicated to coordinate their movements on Saturday, without issuing "two-way radio challenges" as they had in the past. Chinese coast guard ships also refrained from shadowing or blocking Philippine vessels, a departure from previous practice.
Philippines Delivers Supplies to Disputed Shoal in South China Sea
The Chinese coast guard confirmed the resupply mission, stating that it "supervised and managed the entire process" and that the Philippine ship delivered "daily necessities" under a "temporary arrangement reached between China and the Philippines."
The agreement between the two countries was reached through diplomatic talks and involved establishing a mutually acceptable arrangement at the shoal without conceding either side's territorial claims. The details of the deal have not been publicly disclosed.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed the news of the peaceful resupply mission, expressing hope that it would continue in the future. The violent confrontations at the shoal have raised concerns among the United States and its allies in the region, who have condemned China's actions and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
China and the Philippines are among several countries that have competing claims in the South China Sea, a crucial sea lane with abundant fishing resources and potential undersea gas deposits. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also have overlapping territorial claims in the waterway. The region has emerged as a potential flashpoint between China and the United States, which has deployed military assets in the area to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight.
The United States has emphasized its obligation to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces come under attack in the South China Sea. China strongly opposes the U.S. naval presence in the disputed waters, viewing it as a threat to regional stability.
