The Philippines and China have reached a significant understanding to prevent altercations at the disputed Ayungin Shoal in the South China Sea, as announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday. This development comes in the wake of last month’s violent confrontation at the Philippine-occupied shoal, claimed by Beijing.
Agreement Details
Through an exchange of diplomatic notes, both nations have agreed on a provisional arrangement to ensure the smooth resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions (RoRe) to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded World War II-era vessel serving as a Philippine military outpost.
“The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” the DFA stated.
Bilateral Consultation Mechanism
The agreement follows the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) held in Manila on July 2, two weeks after the Philippine Navy faced blockades and harassment from the Chinese Coast Guard during a resupply mission. This confrontation resulted in injuries to several Filipino troops, including a sailor who lost his right thumb.
During the BCM, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong committed to finding a “mutually-acceptable resolution” despite significant differences in their countries’ positions.
Avoiding Further Escalation
The DFA highlighted that both sides aim to de-escalate tensions and manage differences through dialogue and consultation. The agreement does not prejudice either party’s claims in the South China Sea, known as the West Philippine Sea in the Philippines.
“The Philippines will never agree to such demands by China,” the DFA reiterated, referring to China’s claim that previous Philippine administrations had privately agreed to notify China of resupply operations, a claim rejected by the current administration.
Historical and Strategic Context
The BRP Sierra Madre was intentionally grounded at Ayungin Shoal by the Philippines in 1998 as a response to China’s occupation of the Philippine-claimed Mischief Reef in 1995. The shoal is 105.77 nautical miles from Palawan and within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, as established by a United Nations convention.
China’s repeated attempts to block Philippine resupply missions, including the use of high-pressure water cannons and other aggressive tactics, have drawn international condemnation. The United States, citing its treaty obligations, has warned it would defend the Philippines from hostile attacks.
Strategic Importance of the South China Sea
The South China Sea is a vital trading and shipping route with rich oil and mineral deposits. It is claimed in part or in whole by several nations, including the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. In 2016, an arbitral tribunal in The Hague invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, a ruling Beijing does not recognize