China Coast Guard “Temporarily allows transportation of daily necessities”
As the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines continues in the South China Sea, the Philippines once again sent a supply ship to the Second Thomas Reef (Chinese name: Renaijiao, Philippines name: Ayungin) base in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea, which is a disputed territorial area.
On the 10th, the Chinese Coast Guard issued a statement in the name of Spokesperson Ganyu, saying, “Two small Philippine supply ships and three coast guard ships entered the waters near Renaijiao in the South China Sea without permission from the Chinese government,” adding, “The Chinese Coast Guard, in accordance with the law, does not protect Philippine vessels.” “We have taken tracking and surveillance measures,” he said.
The Chinese Coast Guard said, “We have taken temporary special measures (allowing entry) for the transportation of essential goods such as food from the Philippines.”
“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and nearby waters, including Renaijiao,” he said. “The Philippines’ actions violate China’s territorial sovereignty and the ‘Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea’ and the promises they made.” “It is a violation,” he emphasized.
The Chinese Coast Guard said, “We urge the Philippines to immediately stop violating its sovereignty,” and added, “The Chinese Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under Chinese jurisdiction in accordance with the law and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.” He emphasized.
The Philippines said that its warship ran aground here in 1999, and is stationing about 10 Marines under the pretext of protecting the ship. China claims that the Philippines is illegally occupying the reef and is seeking permanent occupation, and has demanded that the stranded warship be towed away.
On August 5, the Chinese Coast Guard fired a water cannon at a Philippine Coast Guard ship that was attempting to deliver supplies to a Philippine warship.
Afterwards, China allowed the Philippine Coast Guard to transport daily necessities, but repeatedly blocked the import of building materials used for maintenance.
Recently, China and the Philippines have shown signs of mobilizing the navy instead of the coast guard in the South China Sea territorial dispute.
As the confrontation between the two coast guards has changed into a confrontation between the navies, the possibility of an accidental collision is assessed to have increased.
Source: Donga