The Philippines said it was able to deliver supplies to its stranded, rusty warship serving as military outpost in the South China Sea despite what it described as attempts from China to “block, harass and interfere.”
(Bloomberg) — The Philippines said it was able to deliver supplies to its stranded, rusty warship serving as military outpost in the South China Sea despite what it described as attempts from China to “block, harass and interfere.”
Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia tried to bar Philippine vessels, but the mission was “successfully conducted,” the Philippines’ National Security Council said in a statement on Tuesday. The “routine” missions will continue, the council added.
Weeks ago, the Southeast Asian nation protested Beijing’s use of water cannons to block the delivery of supplies to soldiers living in a World War II-era ship stranded in Second Thomas Shoal since 1999. The Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been stepping up its objections against China’s actions in disputed waters while bolstering defense ties with the US.
China issued a stern warning to four Philippine ships near the shoal and made “temporary special arrangements” for the delivery of necessities to the military vessel, its Coast Guard said in a separate statement Tuesday. Beijing said it will continue its “law enforcement activities” in the region.
–With assistance from Xiao Zibang.
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