Philippines, China reach tentative deal to ease maritime tensions

The Philippines and China have reached a tentative agreement to ease tensions in the South China Sea, both countries said, following skirmishes involving their ships that escalated last year.

The foreign ministries of the two Asian nations said in separate statements on Sunday and Monday that they have agreed to jointly manage differences over maritime issues through dialogue and consultation, and recognized the need to de-escalate tensions, Kyodo News reported.

The provisional agreement was reached after a series of consultations, including a dialogue between deputy foreign ministers held on July 2 in Manila.

Tensions over disputed shallows in these resource-rich waters have soared in recent months, including a June 17 attack by several Philippine rubber boats that left a Philippine soldier with a finger severed.

China claims sovereignty over the Second Thomas Shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Jiao and is controlled by Manila, and has interfered with supply missions to a stranded Philippine navy ship serving as a military outpost there.

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China’s Foreign Ministry demanded in a statement early Monday that the Philippines tow the warship away, but added that Beijing is willing to allow delivery of necessary supplies until the ship is towed away if Manila notifies it in advance.

The ministry said China would conduct on-site verification and oversee the entire resupply process. Beijing will “resolutely stop” attempts to send a large amount of construction materials that could be used to fortify the outpost, it added.

In response, Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said on Monday that China’s statement on prior notification and on-site confirmation was “inaccurate,” saying the provisional agreement was concluded with the clear understanding of both sides that it would “not harm our respective national positions.”

China rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that invalidated its sweeping claims to the South China Sea.