BTN News: In a significant development aimed at reducing tensions in the South China Sea, Manila and Beijing have reached an agreement to prevent confrontations in a highly disputed atoll. This agreement, announced by two Filipino officials on Sunday, comes after a series of previous clashes that raised fears of broader conflicts involving the United States.
The agreement was finalized following multiple closed-door meetings between Filipino and Chinese diplomats in Manila and an exchange of diplomatic notes. Both sides sought a mutually acceptable resolution for the Second Thomas Shoal, an area occupied by the Philippines but also claimed by China.
The officials, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press before the official announcement, confirmed the agreement, signaling a potentially pivotal moment in the often volatile region. China’s numerous disputes over maritime and land borders, especially in the South China Sea, have been a source of ongoing tension with various governments. This unique accord with the Philippines may inspire hope that Beijing could strike similar agreements with other rival governments to avoid confrontations, even if contentious territorial issues remain unresolved. However, the success and longevity of this agreement are still uncertain.
Historically, Chinese coastguards and other forces have used powerful water cannons and dangerous blockade maneuvers to prevent the delivery of food and other supplies to Filipino personnel stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal. This long-standing dispute reignited last year, marked by altercations involving coastguards, naval forces, suspected Chinese militia ships, and Filipino coastguard vessels escorted by their navy, all attempting to deliver food, water, and relief personnel to the outpost on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.
In one of the most serious confrontations, Chinese forces in speedboats repeatedly rammed and later boarded two Filipino Navy vessels on June 17. They prevented Filipino personnel from delivering supplies, including firearms, to the outpost in the shallow waters of the atoll, according to the Filipino government. The Chinese forces damaged the Filipino vessels using machetes and improvised spears, confiscated seven M4 rifles packed in boxes, and other supplies. Several Filipino sailors were injured, with one losing a thumb during the chaotic skirmish, which was captured in videos and photos later released by Filipino authorities.
Both China and the Philippines have accused each other over the incident, each asserting their sovereign rights over the atoll—referred to as Ayungin by the Filipinos and Ren’ai Jiao by the Chinese. The United States, along with key allies like Japan and Australia, condemned China’s actions at the atoll, calling for respect for international law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, a crucial commercial route with rich fishing grounds and underwater gas deposits.
Besides China and the Philippines, other nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also have increasingly tense territorial disputes in the region. This area is seen as a potential flashpoint in the ongoing rivalry between Washington and Beijing. For decades, the U.S. military has conducted freedom of navigation and overflight patrols in the disputed waters, a practice China opposes, viewing it as a threat to regional stability.
While the U.S. does not claim any territories in the contested waters, it has repeatedly affirmed its treaty obligation to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, ships, or aircraft come under armed attack, including in the South China Sea.
One of the Filipino officials mentioned that the June 17 confrontation prompted Beijing and Manila to expedite intermittent talks on an agreement to prevent clashes at the Second Thomas Shoal. According to the official, China agreed to allow the Philippines to deliver food, water, and other essential supplies to its forces at the atoll, provided Manila notifies Beijing in advance and refrains from bringing construction materials to reinforce the dilapidated ship.
This agreement, while tentative, marks a significant step towards de-escalating a potentially volatile situation in the South China Sea. If successfully implemented, it could serve as a model for resolving similar disputes in the region, contributing to broader peace and stability.
