MANILA, July 22 – The Philippines and China reached a “provisional” agreement on Sunday aimed at avoiding confrontations at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, where Filipino troops are stationed on a marooned ship, the German news agency (dpa) reported.
The deal was reached after a series of consultations in Manila, following increasing tensions in the Second Thomas Shoal, locally called Ayungin Shoal, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said.
“The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China have reached an understanding on a provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” the department said in a statement.
“Both sides continue to recognise the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation, and agree that the pact will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea,” it added.
No details were given about the agreement, but Philippine diplomats earlier said that the two sides have agreed to establish a high-level hotline to prevent confrontations during regular trips by the Philippines to bring supplies to the troops at BRP Sierra Madre.
