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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
ChinaDiplomacy

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

  • 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
China-Asean relations
Zhao Ziwen
Zhao Ziwen
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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

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.

Manila regards its resupply mission and maintenance of the Sierra Madre as a part of “regular operations in line with domestic and international law and ensures safety and well-being of our stationed personnel”, according to its National Security Council, but Beijing has constantly tried to block the missions.

Tensions between the two countries have been rising in recent months, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has taken a tougher stance towards the resource-rich area after he took power last year and stepped closer to Washington.

In early August, Manila said China blocked and fired water cannons on ships carrying out another supply operation in Second Thomas Shoal. Beijing described its response as “professional, restrained and unimpeachable”.

05:22

Why the South China Sea dispute remains one of the region’s most pressing issues

Why the South China Sea dispute remains one of the region’s most pressing issues
The two countries were also involved in spat over which party removed a floating barrier installed by China in Scarborough Shoal intended to block Philippine vessels.

Manila took Beijing to an international tribunal over its territorial claims in the South China Sea in 2013. The tribunal ruled in 2016 that Beijing’s claims over most of the waterway were invalid, but Beijing has rejected the ruling.

Manila also said it was considering pursuing a case against Beijing before an international tribunal for the alleged large-scale destruction of coral reefs in the area.

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