China and the Philippines reach a deal they hope will end confrontations at the most fiercely disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippines government announced the deal on Sunday without providing details.
The Second Thomas Shoal has been the site of increasingly hostile confrontations between the two nations, including the ramming of ships and the use of water cannon .The details of the deal have not yet been disclosed but it's understood that neither side will make any territorial concessions.
The crucial deal was reached on Sunday, after a series of meetings between Philippine and Chinese diplomats in Manila and exchanges of diplomatic notes that aimed to establish a mutually acceptable arrangement at the shoal without conceding either side's territorial claims. The rare deal with the Philippines could spark hope that similar arrangements could be forged between Beijing and other rival countries to avoid clashes while thorny territorial issues remain unresolved.The Chinese coast guard and other forces have used powerful water cannons and dangerous blocking manoeuvres to prevent food and other supplies from reaching Filipino navy personnel at Manila's outpost at the shoal.
After repeated ramming, the Chinese seized the Philippine navy boats and damaged them with machetes and improvised spears. They also seized seven M4 rifles, which were packed in cases, and other supplies. The violent face-off wounded several Filipino navy personnel, including one who lost his thumb, in a chaotic skirmish that was captured in video and photos that were later made public by Philippine officials.
The US military has deployed navy ships and fighter jets for decades in what it calls freedom of navigation and overflight patrols, which China has opposed and regards as a threat to regional stability. During final meetings in the last four days, two Chinese demands that had been key sticking points were removed from the draft deal.
China Philippines Disputed Shoal Disputed Territory Peace Deal Water Cannon Conflict Maritime Law Ocean Rights Fiery Clashes
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