Space Travel News
FLOATING STEEL
Philippines, China reach 'arrangement' for reef resupply missions
Philippines, China reach 'arrangement' for reef resupply missions
By Pam CASTRO
Manila (AFP) July 21, 2024

The Philippines and China have agreed on an "arrangement" for resupplying Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea reef, Manila said Sunday, after a series of escalating confrontations in the disputed waters.

A remote outpost on Second Thomas Shoal has been a focus of clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to almost the entire South China Sea.

A Filipino sailor lost a thumb in the latest June 17 confrontation when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops.

Sunday's announcement follows talks between the Philippines and China this month when they agreed to increase the number of communication channels to resolve maritime disagreements between them.

"The Philippines and the People's Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal," the Philippine foreign ministry, using the Filipino name for Second Thomas Shoal.

The foreign ministry did not provide details of the arrangement, but said both sides recognised the need to "de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation".

China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A handful of Filipino troops are stationed on the rusty BRP Sierra Madre warship that was deliberately grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's claims to the area.

They require frequent resupplies for food, water and other necessities as well as transport for personnel rotations.

Earlier Sunday, Manila said the resupply missions would remain a Philippine operation, after Washington vowed to "do what is necessary" to support them.

"As far as the RORE (rotation and resupply mission) is concerned, we're keeping it as a purely Philippine operation utilising Philippine ships, personnel and leadership," National Security Council assistant director-general Jonathan Malaya told AFP.

"That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that's the direction or policy at present."

Malaya's remarks came after White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States "will do what is necessary" to ensure the Philippines can continue to resupply its troops on the contested atoll.

"We will continue to support the Philippines and stand behind them as they take steps to be able to ensure that," Sullivan said during the Aspen Security Forum conference in Colorado.

Malaya said the National Security Council appreciated the US offer and the Philippines would continue consultations as treaty allies.

Manila has a mutual defence pact with the United States which requires both parties to come to the other's defence in case of an "armed attack" against vessels, aircraft, military and coast guard anywhere in the Pacific theatre, which Washington says includes the South China Sea.

Related Links
Naval Warfare in the 21st Century

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
FLOATING STEEL
China says joint naval drills with Russia have ended
Beijing (AFP) July 18, 2024
China said Thursday that joint military patrols with Russia had come to an end, hailing its deepening "understanding and trust" with its longtime ally amid febrile tensions with the West. The two countries have drawn closer in recent years and share hostile relations with the US-led defence alliance NATO, which last week called an infuriated China a "decisive enabler" of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Beijing and Moscow both said last week that they were conducting joint drills known as Joint Sea ... read more

FLOATING STEEL
FLOATING STEEL
Voyagers of Mars: The First CHAPEA Crew's Yearlong Journey

Mars Likely Experienced Cold and Icy Conditions, Study Suggests

Martian Atmosphere Unveiled Through Innovative Use of Existing Technology

Europe's Earth Return Orbiter Advances to Next Development Stage

FLOATING STEEL
Newly discovered moon cave could house future lunar explorers, researchers say

HKU and ILOA Join Forces for Chang'e-7 Moon Lander Mission Set for 2026

NASA events commemorate 55th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing

Queqiao-2 Embarks on Scientific Missions for Future Lunar Exploration

FLOATING STEEL
NASA Evaluates Electrical Components for Europa Clipper Mission

Subaru Telescope Discovers New Objects Beyond the Kuiper Belt

NASA's Juno Observes Lava Lakes on Jupiter's Moon Io

Understanding Cyclones on Jupiter Through Oceanography

FLOATING STEEL
NASA's Webb Explores Atmospheric Differences on Exoplanet WASP-39 b

Scorching Storms Unveiled on Nearby Brown Dwarfs

BAE Systems to Advance Stable Optical Technology for NASA's HWO Mission

New Proposal Redefines Planetary Criteria Beyond Our Solar System

FLOATING STEEL
China's All-Electric Communication Satellite APSTAR 6E Now Operational

NASA Introduces Low-Cost Hybrid Rocket Motor Testbed

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket experiences rare failure

Virgin Galactic Unveils New Spaceship Manufacturing Facility in Arizona

FLOATING STEEL
Beijing Unveils 'Rocket Street' to Boost Commercial Space Sector

Shenzhou XVII Crew Shares Post-Mission Insights with Media

Shenzhou XVIII Crew Successfully Completes Second Spacewalk

Chinese Scientists Develop Novel Rosa Roxburghii Varieties via Space Breeding

FLOATING STEEL
Dark Comets May Constitute a Major Portion of Near-Earth Objects

Hera's Propulsion System Passes Critical Leak Test

China's Tianwen 2 Mission Targets Asteroid and Comet Exploration

Tyvak International's Milani Satellite Clears Major Review for Hera Mission

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.