CHINA TO MONITOR PHILIPPINE WARSHIP RESUPPLY MISSIONS IN DISPUTED SEA

Mon 22 July 2024:

China has announced it will “monitor” all supply missions of “living necessities” to a Philippine warship stationed in disputed waters, following a recent provisional agreement by Manila.

Provisional Agreement Details Awaited

Beijing’s statement on Monday came after the Philippines revealed it had reached a “provisional agreement” for rotation and resupply missions to its beached naval ship BRP Sierra Madre on the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. However, specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed by Manila, despite recent clashes between Chinese and Filipino personnel at sea.

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Humanitarian Spirit and Conditions

“China is willing to allow it in a humanitarian spirit if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted,” the Foreign Ministry in Beijing stated, referring to supply missions to the rusting World War II-era warship, deliberately beached by Manila in 1999. The ministry emphasized that China will monitor the entire resupply process, asserting that the reef belongs to Beijing.

Disputed Claims over Second Thomas Shoal

China and the Philippines have conflicting claims over the Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal, Bai Co May, and Ren’ai Jiao, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands. The ministry added that China will “absolutely not accept it and will resolutely stop” any attempts by the Philippines to “send large amounts of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or a permanent outpost.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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