China draws line on Second Thomas Shoal after Philippine leader denies knowing of ‘gentleman’s agreement’
- Chinese foreign ministry says Beijing consistently committed to dialogue and consultation with Manila over the shoal
- Statement came hours before the first trilateral US-Japan-Philippines summit in Washington, described as ‘new era of a partnership’
China had “indisputable sovereignty” over the Spratly Islands – called the Nanshas in China – which includes the Second Thomas Shoal and the surrounding waters, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
The Chinese stance was “clear and explicit”, she said, and Beijing had consistently committed to dialogue and consultation with the Philippines to manage and control the situation at the shoal, known as Renai Reef in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines.
The shoal has been the focus of tensions between China and the Philippines, with Manila deliberately grounding a warship on the outcrop in 1999 to reinforce territorial claims.
“The reasons behind the current situation at Renai Reef are clear and evident,” Mao said, adding one of them was that the Philippines “flatly denied” the “gentleman’s agreement” and “engaged in provocative actions and encroachments at sea.”
