By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-09-27 13:02:47 | Updated at 2024-09-30 11:30:18
2 days ago
China confirmed on Friday that it did not block the resupply mission of a Philippine vessel at a controversial South China Sea reef, almost a month after naval ships of the two countries nearly collided in a stand-off in nearby waters.
China Coast Guard spokesman Liu Dejun said the coastguard only went to “inquire, confirm and monitor” the actions of the Philippines, which sent a civil vessel on Thursday to resupply its “illegally grounded” military ship at the Second Thomas Shoal, known as Renai Jiao in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines.
“[We] hope that the Philippines will honour its commitments and work with China to jointly manage the maritime situation.”
“China Coast Guard will continue to carry out law enforcement activities to safeguard and enforce rights in the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, including Renai Jiao, in accordance with the law,” he added, referring to the disputed Spratly Islands by its Chinese name.
Liu said China’s actions were in accordance with “the interim arrangements reached between China and the Philippines”, which includes a July agreement to allow the Southeast Asian country to resupply the grounded warship that serves as an outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal.
