Philippines, China reach agreement to ease tensions at disputed shoal

The Philippine government has announced about an agreement with China aimed at ending confrontations at the hotly contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

This area, which the Philippines calls Ayungin Shoal and China refers to as Ren’ai Jiao, has been a flashpoint for increasingly hostile clashes that have raised fears of larger conflicts potentially involving the United States, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

The crucial deal was finalized on July 21, following a series of meetings between Philippine and Chinese diplomats in Manila and exchanges of diplomatic notes. The aim was to establish a mutually acceptable arrangement at the shoal without conceding either side’s territorial claims.

Two Philippine officials, familiar with the negotiations, confirmed the agreement, and the government later issued a brief statement announcing the deal without providing specific details.

“Both sides continue to recognise the need to deescalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation, and agree that the agreement will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea,” stated the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced shortly after midnight on July 21 that discussions with the Philippines had led to a provisional arrangement for the humanitarian resupply of living necessities at Ren’ai Jiao. Neither side released the full text of the agreement.

China has ongoing disputes with several governments over land and sea borders, many of which are in the South China Sea. This rare agreement with the Philippines may raise hopes that Beijing could forge similar arrangements with other countries to avoid clashes while territorial issues remain unresolved. However, the success and longevity of this deal remain to be seen.

The yearslong territorial standoff at Second Thomas Shoal has flared repeatedly since last year. Chinese coast guard and other forces have used powerful water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers to prevent food and other supplies from reaching Filipino navy personnel stationed on the grounded and rusting warship, the BRP Sierra Madre.

In the worst confrontation, Chinese forces on motorboats repeatedly rammed and then boarded two Philippine navy boats on June 17 to prevent the transfer of food, supplies, and firearms to the ship outpost in the shoal’s shallows, according to the Philippine government. The Chinese forces seized the Philippine navy boats, damaged them with machetes and improvised spears, and took seven M4 rifles and other supplies. The violent encounter wounded several Filipino navy personnel, including one who lost a thumb, in a chaotic skirmish captured on video and photos that were later made public by Philippine officials.

As tensions continue, this new agreement represents a significant step towards de-escalating a potentially volatile situation in the South China Sea.