1-2-2024 (MANILA) China asserted that its coast guard did not obstruct the Philippines’ attempt to airdrop supplies to a shoal claimed by both nations, describing it as a “special arrangement” in the ongoing standoff.
The Philippines refuted this claim, asserting its right to conduct resupply missions to a grounded vessel in the South China Sea, which has been the focal point of escalating tensions.
China’s coast guard stated that a Philippine aircraft had conducted an airdrop of supplies to troops stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal on Jan 21. However, the Philippines had not officially announced this airdrop and did not confirm it in recent statements.
A Reuters report on Jan 28 initially suggested that China allowed the airdrop through a “special arrangement,” but the Philippine government denied such an arrangement, leading to the withdrawal of the story.
Last month, Manila accused Chinese coast guard vessels and maritime militia of obstructing its resupply boats to the shoal, terming it a “serious escalation.” China defended its actions as “professional, reasonable, and legal,” alleging that the Philippine vessels ignored warnings.
China’s statement clarified that it had made “temporary, special arrangements” to facilitate the delivery of supplies to the aging Philippines navy ship, the Sierra Madre, deliberately grounded on the shoal in 1999 to assert sovereignty.
The Philippines maintains that it does not require permission from any entity, including the Chinese coast guard, to deliver supplies by air or sea, reiterating its constitutional mandate.
While China has urged the Philippines to remove the ship, citing a supposed earlier agreement, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr denied such a promise.
The Philippines expressed concerns that China might militarize the shoal, similar to what was done with the Mischief Reef nearby.
