“The China Coast Guard continues to carry out law enforcement activities to safeguard our rights in waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Friday it completed a “flawless” resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal.
02:41
Marcos Jnr says China showing interest in South China Sea atolls that lie close to the Philippines
Marcos Jnr says China showing interest in South China Sea atolls that lie close to the Philippines
Beijing and Manila both claim the disputed reef in the South China Sea, known as Renai Reef in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines.
The incident comes after a heated exchange over a “special arrangement” that China claimed it made for an airdrop of supplies by the Philippines to the shoal on January 21, days after they agreed to lower tensions in a consultation in Shanghai.
China has often said it will allow the Philippines to transport supplies to the reef “out of humanitarian considerations” if the Philippines reports to China in advance and accepts China’s on-site supervision.
On Monday, Manila rejected suggestions that Beijing had a “temporary special arrangement” with Manila to allow the deliveries, saying it had the right to supply its troops.
The Philippines has stepped up efforts to assert its claims over various disputed reefs in the South China Sea. Last month, it announced plans to upgrade facilities on nine land features in the disputed waters, including the Second Thomas Shoal.
02:03
Beijing and Manila trade blame over ‘provocative’ moves with ship collisions near disputed shoal
Beijing and Manila trade blame over ‘provocative’ moves with ship collisions near disputed shoal
The Philippine Congress also approved funding to build a “permanent structure” that could be used as a shelter for fishermen on the shoal.
At a Lunar New Year event in Manila on Friday, Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian called on Manila to meet Beijing “halfway” and put ties between the two countries back on the path of “healthy and stable” development.
“China and the Philippines are close neighbours separated by a strip of water. Maritime issues should be properly handled through friendly consultations, and maritime differences should not dominate the entire relationship between the two countries,” Huang said.
