China Permits Philippines to Supply Grounded Warship at Ren’ai Jiao

In a recent development reflecting the delicate balance in the South China Sea, the China Coast Guard (CCG) announced on Friday that it granted permission for the Philippines to send a civilian ship to deliver supplies to its grounded warship at Ren’ai Jiao. The resupply mission took place on Thursday, with the CCG conducting verification and maintaining oversight throughout the process.

Liu Dejun, spokesperson for the CCG, emphasized the importance of cooperation between China and the Philippines to maintain maritime stability. “The CCG will continue rights protection and law enforcement activities in China’s Nansha Qundao, including Ren’ai Jiao, and its adjacent waters,” Liu stated. He urged the Philippine side to honor its commitments and work with China to keep the maritime situation under control.

The grounded vessel in question, the BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57), has been a longstanding symbol of the complex territorial disputes in the region. In May 1999, the Philippines grounded the tank landing ship at Ren’ai Jiao. China’s government immediately lodged strong diplomatic protests, demanding the immediate removal of the vessel. The Philippines repeatedly assured China that it would tow away the ship as soon as possible. However, 25 years later, the vessel remains in place, serving as an outpost and a point of contention between the two nations.

Ren’ai Jiao, located within the Nansha Qundao, is a strategically significant area in the South China Sea, rich in resources and vital for international shipping routes. The ongoing presence of the BRP Sierra Madre has been a source of friction, yet both nations have expressed intentions to manage their differences through dialogue and cooperation.

This recent resupply operation, conducted with China’s permission and oversight, may signal a willingness on both sides to engage constructively. Observers hope such cooperation can contribute to easing tensions and promoting stability in the region.