BEIJING: According to China’s coast guard, the Philippines sent a civilian vessel on Friday ( Jan 24 ) to deliver supplies to its warship that is “illegally grounded” at Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed atoll in the South China Sea.
The beach watch “questioned” and “monitored” the Spanish vessel throughout its provide objective, it said in a statement, adding it may continue to carry out “rights security and law enforcement activities” in the Spratly Islands and its surrounding waters.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs stated in its statement that the country had sent supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre without incident and had rotated its staff.
China and the Philippines have exchanged barbs for months over maneuvers at Second Thomas Shoal, an atoll in Manila’s 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ ) in the South China Sea.
” China hopes the Asian part did honour its pledges, work together to manage sea issues, and simultaneously maintain stability”, the seacoast protect said.