The Philippines and China are already at odds over the details of a “provisional arrangement” that is to govern resupply missions to Manila’s military outpost in the South China Sea, just hours after announcing the agreement.
The Philippines on Sunday said it had “reached an understanding” with China on the resupply of its troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the Second Thomas Shoal (Renai Shoal, 仁愛暗沙) that has been at the center of tensions between the two nations.
Manila did not elaborate on the interim pact.
Photo: Reuters
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday morning provided some details, including two key points that the Philippines disputed right away: that Beijing must be informed in advance if Manila is to send “living necessities” to its troops in the grounded ship, and that it “will monitor the entire resupply process.”
China’s statement about “prior notification and on-site confirmation is inaccurate,” the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
It added that the agreement was reached without prejudice to their respective claims as the two sides sought to de-escalate.
The Chinese foreign ministry also said Beijing would “resolutely stop” the Philippines if it were to send “large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost.”
Manila’s statement did not address this particular issue.
“We emphasize that the agreement was done in good faith and the Philippines remains ready to implement it. We urge China to do the same,” the Philippines said in its latest statement.
While the provisional deal adds to signs that both parties are open to defusing tensions that hit a high point last month, when a Philippine sailor lost a thumb in an encounter, the disagreement over the details of the deal reflects the challenges the two nations face in managing the dispute.
Last week, media reported that the two countries were planning to elevate a sea dispute hotline to the offices of the two nations’ president and foreign affairs heads.
The BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era vessel beached on the shoal, has been a flashpoint between the countries in recent months. Vessels from the two countries have engaged in testy confrontations when the Philippines send supply missions to the Sierra Madre. China frequently used water cannons that damaged Philippine boats and injured Filipino sailors.
The Philippines said the provisional arrangement was agreed upon during bilateral talks on the dispute earlier this month.
Beijing stressed that it has sovereignty over the shoal, and reiterated that the Philippines should remove the Sierra Madre.
Manila, for its part, said it would continue to assert its rights and jurisdiction in its maritime zones, including the Second Thomas Shoal.
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