On Thursday, April 9, the China Coast Guard reported that it permitted a Philippine civilian vessel to deliver supplies to a warship grounded at the Second Thomas Shoal, a contested atoll in the South China Sea. This action occurred amidst ongoing tensions and disputes over territorial claims in the region.
The Chinese coast guard stated they monitored and questioned the Philippine vessel during the resupply operation. They also expressed the hope that the Philippines would collaborate with China to de-escalate maritime tensions in the area. This statement highlights the complex dynamic between the two countries, involving both cooperation and contention.
The Philippines and China have been engaged in a dispute over activities at the Second Thomas Shoal, which lies within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. China claims the majority of the South China Sea, a claim that conflicts with those of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In 2016, an international tribunal invalidated China's claims based on historical maps; however, China has rejected this ruling. Despite these disagreements, the resupply mission proceeded, suggesting a degree of pragmatic engagement between the parties involved.