China warns another Philippine supply operation in South China Sea; Manila claims successful operation

Name: Philippine coastguard removes Chinese barrier at disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea
Uploaded: 2023-10-05T06:05:04.000Z
Duration: 3 min 9 s
Description: Philippine coastguard removes Chinese barrier at disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea

Two Philippine supply boats and two coastguard vessels were spotted in an ‘unapproved entering’, say Chinese marine police

Manila’s National Security Council declares successful delivery of provisions to its forces at the disputed shoal

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In August, a Chinese coastguard vessel tries to block the way of a Philippine supply boat, left, as it heads towards Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. Photo: AP

Zhao Ziwen

Published: 2:05pm, 5 Oct 2023Updated: 4:55pm, 5 Oct 2023

China said it has yet again issued a warning to Philippine vessels involved in mission to supply troops stationed in disputed waters in the South China Sea on Wednesday.

Two Philippine supply boats and two coastguard vessels were spotted making an “unapproved” entry close to the Second Thomas Shoal, which is known as Renai Jiao in China.

Marine police spokesman Gan Yu said the Chinese coastguard had “warned, followed and effectively regulated” the vessels, and would continue to carry out activities in the waters because China had “indisputable sovereignty” in the area.

03:09

Philippine coastguard removes Chinese barrier at disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea

Manila said its two supply boats had successfully delivered provisions to Philippine forces stationed on a grounded warship at the shoal, according to a National Security Council statement issued on Wednesday.

It said “a significant number of China’s coastguard and maritime militia vessels” had attempted to “block, harass and interfere” with a routine rotation and resupply mission.

It is not clear whether the Chinese side attempted to block the two Philippine coastguard vessels, which were safeguarding the two supply boats.

A World War II-era ship, BRP Sierra Madre, in Second Thomas Shoal has served as an outpost by the Philippines in the disputed waters since 1999.