Peace is breaking out supposedly, as China says it will no longer grab the seas as much as it has been, against all of their neighbors. Even nations thousands of miles away. With a navy now larger than the American one, within just a few years China will set all of the rules on the seas.
The Philippine government has successfully brokered a deal with China aimed at easing the ongoing tensions at Second Thomas Shoal, a significant and long-contested area within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. Over recent years, Chinese forces have aggressively targeted Philippine supply convoys at the shoal, employing tactics such as ramming and water-cannoning, resulting in injuries to multiple Philippine servicemembers.
China and the Philippines have reached tentative deal over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, potentially reducing tensions in the region. pic.twitter.com/us8pzRVNvu
— TaiwanPlus News (@taiwanplusnews) July 22, 2024
This newly established agreement includes provisions for re-provisioning the soldiers stationed at the Philippine outpost on the reef. However, the specifics of the arrangements have not been disclosed. According to a statement from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, “Both sides continue to recognize the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation.”
Despite the agreement, Philippine diplomats firmly rejected two major demands from Beijing. China had insisted that the Armed Forces of the Philippines provide advance notice to Chinese forces before carrying out supply convoys and that they commit to not bringing construction materials to the outpost. A Philippine official confirmed that neither of these stipulations was included in the final agreement.
#China and the #Philippines reach deal in effort to stop clashes at fiercely disputed shoal
Unexpected good news for a change.
China and the Philippines reached a deal they hope will end confrontations at the most fiercely disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the Philippine… pic.twitter.com/TQ5SSE76sW
— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) July 21, 2024
Since June 17, the Philippine military has been unable to conduct rotation and resupply missions to the outpost. On that day, units of the China Coast Guard attacked two Philippine Navy supply boats with high-speed ramming and bladed weapons, injuring eight servicemembers. The prolonged delay and increasingly aggressive actions by China have led to calls for more robust measures, potentially involving Manila’s allies, such as the United States.
CHINA, PHILIPPINES REACH AGREEMENT ON RESUPPLY MISSIONS
China and the Philippines have reached an agreement on resupply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal, Manilla’s Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
The countries “reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement” for… pic.twitter.com/fQqtg9DP92
— Knightsbridge Research (@KBR_Intel) July 22, 2024
The Chinese side has also exhibited signs of potential escalation. Recently, Wu Shicun, a director at a Chinese think-tank, suggested that Beijing should issue an ultimatum to Manila, demanding the removal of the garrison at Second Thomas Shoal and subsequently cutting off all supplies. Wu proposed that after a period of blockade, the Philippine military personnel stationed at the reef would face a severe survival crisis. At that point, China could, from a humanitarian perspective, establish a special corridor allowing the Philippines to retrieve its military personnel stationed there.
Major Points:
- The Philippines and China have reached an agreement to reduce tensions at Second Thomas Shoal.
- The deal includes provisions for re-supplying the Philippine outpost but excludes Beijing’s key demands.
- Philippine supply missions have been hindered since June 17 due to aggressive actions by the China Coast Guard.
- Calls for stronger measures have emerged, potentially involving the U.S.
- China has considered further escalation, including a blockade and a humanitarian corridor proposal.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
