​China claimed that it monitored and gave prior approval to the Philippines' first resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre that was conducted after Manila and Beijing made some new arrangements to manage tension at sea.

However, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) already denied such a claim as it said the Philippines' position is always "no to prior notification, no to onsite inspection."

In a statement on Saturday, July 27, China's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Philippines held a successful rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission in the Ayungin Shoal—a feature in the West Philippine Sea that China claims to be its own.

But it said that the mission succeeded as "the entire process was monitored by China Coast Guard," and that "China had been notified of the resupply before it was carried out."

"After confirming onsite that the Philippine vessel carried only humanitarian living necessities, the Chinese side let the vessel through," it said.

China's Foreign Ministry also said that the new arrangement that was reached between China and the Philippines, which allowed the unimpeded resupply mission, was "based on the three-point principled position of China on managing the situation at Ren’ai Jiao."

In fact, it added, China's position on the Ren’ai Jiao issue has not changed as it maintains its claims over the West Philippine Sea.

"China will continue to properly deal with relevant territorial issues and disputes over maritime rights with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation," the ministry said.