Beijing: Amidst rising tensions between China and the Philippines regarding a grounded warship, Beijing has issued a strong call for the Philippines to promptly tow away the ship from Ren'ai Reef.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has stated that Ren'ai Reef is an integral part of China's Nansha Islands, emphasising the need to reinstate the reef's original condition.
The Philippines had previously made commitments to move the warship, which is said to be illegally grounded on the reef. However, reports indicate that the Philippines not only failed to carry out the towing operation but also engaged in significant repair and reinforcement efforts to consolidate its control over Ren'ai Reef, a matter that has remained contentious for 24 years.
China's perspective on this issue underscores the gravity of the situation, with a spokesperson characterising the Philippines' actions as a severe breach of international law and the declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea, an agreement signed by China and ASEAN members.
The spokesperson attributed the current situation at Ren'ai Reef to the Philippines' disregard for China's goodwill and sincerity, accusing the country of transporting construction materials to the grounded warship, reported ANI.
Experts have highlighted that this incident has further heightened an already tense atmosphere and could potentially expedite the plans for collaborative patrols in the region by the United States and its allies.
Earlier, a smaller Philippines boat faced water cannon retaliation from a larger Chinese Coast Guard vessel while attempting to deliver supplies to Philippine marines stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, a South China Sea feature within Manila's exclusive economic zone. China claims the area as Renai Reef and asserts its sovereignty over it.
Photographs released by the Philippine Coast Guard showcased the Chinese ship's dangerously close manoeuvres in front of Philippine Coast Guard vessels during the resupply operation. In response, the Philippine Coast Guard strongly denounced the actions of the China Coast Guard, citing dangerous manoeuvres and the unauthorised use of water cannons against its vessels.
The incident prompted a reaction from Washington, the Philippines' principal ally. The United States condemned China's actions and reaffirmed its commitment to the mutual defence pact with the Philippines.
"The United States reaffirms an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces — including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea — would invoke US mutual defence commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty," stated US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.