Second Thomas Shoal Resupply Proceeds Amid Tension
China’s coast guard said it monitored the Philippines delivering supplies to a vessel at Second Thomas Shoal on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Beijing called the grounded ship “illegally grounded” but said the delivery had its approval, according to Xinhua. Philippine officials had not responded when Reuters filed.
The resupply came about a month after Manila accused Beijing of obstructing a September 25 mission, Reuters noted, and amid tension over remarks by China’s ambassador that Manila says conveyed a threat of force.
Separately, Philippine diplomat Felipe Carino told a Washington seminar that Manila is exploring deeper cooperation with Taiwan on undersea cable protection and “gray-zone” activity, “notwithstanding our one China policy,” Reuters reported through GMA News. He gave no details on joint patrols.
The reports show cooperation and friction developing side by side.