Rejected By The Philippines, China Again Urges Ayungin's Dispute In The South China Sea To Be Emptyed

The incident was intercepted by a Chinese coast guard ship against a Philippine guard ship that will deliver supplies to Beting Ayungin on June 30, 2023. (Wikimedia Commons/Philippine Coast Guard)

JAKARTA - China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has again asked the Philippines to withdraw the warships that were inundated and become Manila military bases on disputed sites in the South China Sea.

Beijing's statement came after Manila firmly refused to leave the post, followed by a summons by China's Ambassador to deliver a strong diplomatic protest regarding China's use of water cannons in confrontation with Philippine ships over the weekend.

Manila accused Beijing of "overly and offensive" acts against their ships.

"China once again urged the Philippines to immediately remove the warship from Second Thomas Shoal (Beting Ayungin) and return it to an empty state," China's Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry added that China had communicated with the Philippines about the Second Thomas Shoal issue "multiply" through diplomatic channels, but Beijing's goodwill and sincerity had been "improved".

Regarding the use of water cannons, Beijing said it was a form of warning.

As previously reported, the deadlock occurred on Saturday near the Second Thomas Shoal, which has been occupied by the Philippines for decades.

In a press conference Monday, Philippine coast guard and diplomatic officials showed videos and photos, which they said showed six Chinese coast guard vessels and two militia ships blocking two Philippine naval chartered civilian ships carrying supplies to Philippine troops in Second Thomas Shoal.

One supply ship was hit with a strong water cannon by China's coast guard, the Philippine military said.

On Tuesday, China's coast guard showed a video of a water cannon spraying near a smaller Philippine ship without hitting it.

"We urge China not to escalate issues with water cannons or military-level lasers, which endanger the lives of the Philippines, but with sincere negotiations and other diplomatic means," said Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the Philippine National Security Council.

Separately, China's Ambassador to the Philippines said during Monday's meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Beijing had no choice but to respond, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said on Tuesday.

"Childs have been waiting for a response from the Philippines and hope both sides will start talks as soon as possible, to jointly maintain peace and calm in the relevant waters," said Ambassador Huang Xilian, quoted by Reuters.

It is known that tensions are rising between the two countries in the South China Sea under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and the Philippines turning to the US, which supports Manila in its maritime disputes with China.

Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Beting Ayungin, is home to a handful of troops living on the former BRP Sierra Madre warship Manila submerged there in 1999 to strengthen its claim of sovereignty.