West Philippine Sea: PH, China reach understanding on Ayungin missions – DFA

(FILES) This file photo taken on April 23, 2023 shows the grounded Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre, where marines are stationed to assert Manila’s territorial claims at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Manila’s resupply missions to troops on a disputed South China Sea atoll will remain purely Philippine operations, the National Security Council said July 21, 2024, after Washington vowed to “do what is necessary” to support them. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and China have reached “an understanding” on provisional arrangement for the rotation and resupply missions (RoRe) to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Sunday afternoon.
The DFA did not provide details but said the understanding was reached after consultations between the two countries during the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea in Manila last July 2.
READ: DFA: PH, China committed to easing tensions in West Philippine 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 DFA said in a statement.
Earlier, the DFA said the Philippines and China resolved to de-escalate tensions in the region “without prejudice to their respective positions” during the BCM.
Article continues after this advertisementIt added that Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong had “frank and constructive discussions” during the meeting.
Article continues after this advertisement“Noting recent incidents in the South China Sea, both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction,” the DFA said on July 2.
“The two sides discussed their respective positions on Ayungin Shoal and affirmed their commitment to de-escalate tensions without prejudice to their respective positions,” it added.
The WPS is a portion of the South China Sea that falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. However, China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia.
The BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to assert the Philippines’ claims to the area.
In 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and said China’s claims have no legal basis.
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