After a string of tense encounters in the area this year, China announced on Friday ( Sep 27 ) that it had” supervised” a Philippine ship as it delivered supplies to a grounded vessel at a disputed reef in the South China Sea.
Beijing asserts almost all of the commercially important lake and continues to press its claims despite an international court ruling that they lack a constitutional foundation.
In recent months, there have been escalating tensions between China and the Philippines as a result of numerous clashes in the waters surrounding the disputed Second Thomas Shoal and Sabina Shoal.
However, the two parties claimed to have reached a provisional agreement in July regarding supplies missions to a Sierra Madre, a Philippine ship that was grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal and had a military on board.
According to Beijing’s coast guard, Manila conducted a supplies mission “in accordance with the temporary agreement” on Friday.
According to spokesperson Liu Dejun, using the Taiwanese name for the shoal, the human vessel “delivered everyday necessities to the illegally’ground’warship’ on Ren’ai Reef.”
Liu claimed that the coast guard” supervised the entire procedure and verified the ( identity of the ) Philippine vessel.”
” It is hoped that the Philippines may keep its promises, meet China way, and jointly manage the sea condition”, he said.