Beijing, July 22 (EFE).- China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed Monday that it reached a provisional agreement with the Philippines to de-escalate tensions around an atoll in the South China Sea that both countries claim and where violent boat collisions have occurred in recent months.
According to a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, both parties agreed to “jointly manage differences on maritime issues and work for de-escalation” in this region, after reaching an understanding regarding the “humanitarian replenishment of life supplies” of the Philippine contingent located in Second Thomas Atoll.
The agreement was reached after a meeting between representatives of both countries on Jul. 2, which ended with a direct communication between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
One of the main points of friction between both sides is related to the old Philippine ship Sierra Madre, stranded with a military garrison in Second Thomas since 1999 to claim sovereignty of the atoll.
“We continue to demand that the Philippines tow the ship (Sierra Madre) and restore the status of Ren’ai Jiao (Second Thomas) as not to host personnel or facilities,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement published early Monday.
If the Philippines needs to send life supplies to the ship’s personnel, China is willing to allow it in a «humanitarian spirit,» as long as Manila informs Beijing in advance and after an «on-site verification» has been carried out, according to the official text.
In case the Philippines sends “a large amount” of construction materials to the warship, or tries to build fixed facilities or a permanent post, “China will not accept it at all and will resolutely stop it in accordance with the law,” the official said.
«China has sovereignty over Ren’ai Jiao and the rest of the Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands), as well as their adjacent waters,» the spokesman said.
The Philippines and China have a growing sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea, where clashes between ships from both countries have multiplied in recent months.
In addition to Second Thomas Atoll, Manila and Beijing dispute sovereignty over Scarborough Reef, near the Philippine island of Luzon, and several islands in the Spratly archipelago, where Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also lay claims.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have increased since the coming to power in 2022 of Marcos Jr., who has strengthened his military alliance with the US and expanded access to his bases for American troops, including some with strategic access to the Sea of China or the self-governed island of Taiwan. EFE
jac/lds
