Philippines, China reach deal to ease tension in Ayungin Shoal

By Manuel Mogato | Date 07-25-2024

MANILA — Manila has agreed with Beijing on a “provisional” agreement to allow the Philippines to deliver supplies to BRP Sierra Madre, a regional flashpoint, the foreign ministry spokesperson said.

In a press statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the deal was reached during the 9th bilateral consultation meeting on July 2.

“Both sides continue to recognize the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation,” Manila’s DFA said. (Also read: US was not ready to commit troops to the West Philippine Sea)

The agreement would “not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea.”

China’s foreign ministry also confirmed that it had agreed to “allow” humanitarian Philippine resupply missions but asserted its sovereignty claim on the South China Sea.

It also demanded Manila tow the ship away. 

The foreign ministry also reiterated a condition that China conduct “on-site verification” and said “supervise” each resupply mission. 

If the deal holds, it could help ease rising tension in which China’s coast guard has disrupted Philippine efforts to send supplies to a grounded naval transport in Ayungin Shoal.  (Also read: China is provoking the Philippines to fire the first shot – Trinidad)

The reef lies within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, giving it sole rights to its use under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

However, Beijing insists it has sovereignty over the shoal. 

China’s claim over almost the entire South China Sea, but a 2016 arbitration ruling has rejected that claim. 

Reacting to China’s foreign ministry statement, the Philippines said it “will continue to assert our rights and jurisdiction in our maritime zones as entitled under UNCLOS, including in Ayungin Shoal, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.”

It said it did not agree to tow away the rusting ship, allow China to supervise the resupply mission, and ask for prior permission before delivering supplies.

“Nonetheless, in our desire to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and to manage differences peacefully, we emphasize that the agreement was done in good faith and the Philippines remains ready to implement it,” the DFA spokesperson said. “We urge China to do the same.” 

Security experts doubted whether the agreement would succeed in de-escalating the row. 

China appeared to have stuck with the “gentleman’s agreements” on the resupply missions to Sierra Madre.

It also accused Manila of reneging on those deals and has continued disrupting the resupply missions.

In that deal, China had offered to allow the provision of basic supplies such as food and water to the Philippine outpost under the condition that Manila notify Beijing of the missions in advance, commit to not bringing in materials to stabilize the rusting Sierra Madre and allow Beijing to inspect the resupply vessels.