The Philippines and China “have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement” for the resupply missions to the Ayungin Shoal, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday, July 21.
“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 statement read.
This arrangement came after “a series of consultations following the frank and constructive discussions between the two sides” during the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea held last July 2.
The DFA stressed that the arrangement does not weaken the two countries’ positions regarding the territorial and maritime issues in the South China Sea.
“Both sides continue to recognize the need to de-escalate 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,” the statement added.
The deal came on the heels of several tension-filled encounters between Philippine resupply missions and the China Coast Guard (CCG), the latest of which injured a Philippine personnel and destroyed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) equipment.
Tensions in the West Philippine Sea, which both countries claim, have raised concerns in the international community as many see the region as a possible military flashpoint.
Manila has repeatedly called on Beijing to recognize and honor the 2016 arbitral award, but China rejected the tribunal ruling and pointed to the West—particularly the United States—as the one orchestrating the issue.
Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, a submerged reef in the South China Sea, sits 200 kilometers away from Palawan island and more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s Hainan Island.