Manila said on Monday it would continue to “assert its rights” to a reef in the South China Sea, after reaching an agreement with Beijing to supply resupplies for Philippine troops stationed on a grounded warship, Asian media reported.
The Philippine Foreign Ministry also rejected Chinese speculation that the “interim arrangement” announced on July 21 required Manila to give Beijing “prior notice” and verify supplies to the Sierra Madre Naval Base at Second Thomas Shoal.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Parts of the strategic waterway where US$3 trillion (S$4 trillion) worth of trade takes place annually.
The Spratly Islands are located in the South China Sea – west of the Philippines and north of Brunei. The Spratly archipelago’s islands and reefs have a combined area of only 5 square kilometres. Countries are more interested in the “exclusive economic zone”: 200 nautical miles around a piece of land belonging to one or another state. Some 50 trillion cubic metres of natural gas and over 5 billion barrels of oil have been discovered in the waters.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Teresita Daza said in a statement:
“The principles and approaches laid out in the agreement were reached through a series of careful and meticulous consultations between both sides that paved the way for a convergence of ideas without compromising national positions. The (Chinese foreign ministry) spokesperson’s statement therefore regarding prior notification and on-site confirmation is inaccurate.”
Ms. Daza also said the Philippines “will continue to assert our rights and jurisdiction in our maritime zones,” which included Second Thomas Shoal.
Tensions are rising in the China Sea
The fish-rich shoal has been the centre of fierce clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing has stepped up efforts to advance its claims to almost the entire South China Sea.
One Philippine sailor was injured in the latest clash on June 17, when Chinese coast guard personnel armed with knives, sticks and an axe foiled an attempt by the Philippine Navy to resupply its troops. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said on July 22 that Beijing had agreed to agree with the Philippines on resupply missions “based on our principled position” that the shoal is part of Chinese territory. The spokesperson said:
“Should the Philippines need to send living necessities to the personnel living on the warship, China is willing to allow it in a humanitarian spirit if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted.”
But it has “absolutely no tolerance” for bringing large quantities of construction materials onto the ship and attempts to “build fixed facilities or permanent outposts.” The resupply agreement follows talks with Beijing this month, when the countries agreed to “reduce tensions” and increase communication channels to resolve maritime differences between them.
A squad of Philippine military personnel is stationed on the dilapidated BRP Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded at Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to reassert Manila’s claim to the area.
