The China Coast Guard said in a statement that the Philippines sent a small civilian boat to deliver daily necessities to Ren'ai Jiao on February 2, and the China Coast Guard supervised the entire process. The Philippine military announced the successful implementation of the operation, stressing that it was not interfered with by the Chinese coast guard. Compared with the previous period, the Chinese coast guard appears to have softened its attitude towards the Philippine encroachment on Ren'ai Jiao. This may be related to the consultations between China and the Philippines on the South China Sea issue.
The Chinese side's reference to "properly handling the situation on the ground" in the briefing of the talks means that the two sides respect each other's presence in the region and do not seek to further expand their presence. At present, the situation on the ground at Second Thomas Shoal is patrolled and controlled by a Philippine tank landing ship stranded there, and by the Chinese Coast Guard.
China and the Philippines are likely to discuss the supply of supplies for the crew of the Sierra Madre landing ship during recent Sino-Philippine talks. According to the analysis, China may agree to allow the Philippines to send civilian ships to the reef for replenishment of daily necessities and rotation of personnel, on the premise of maintaining full sovereignty over the reef.
This move can explain why the Chinese coast guard ship maintained a relatively restrained attitude during yesterday's operation of Philippine civilian ships to resupply at Second Thomas Shoal. China and the Philippines have reached a tacit understanding that if the Philippine side can ensure that the Philippines does not send coast guard ships into Ren'ai Jiao, does not transport illegal materials, and does not hype up supply operations, then the Chinese coast guard ships can allow the Philippines to send small civilian boats to deliver daily necessities to the wrecked ship.
The Philippines** may have decided to keep a low profile on the Second Thomas Shoal issue, and this may be the best way for China and the Philippines to deal with the Second Thomas Shoal issue at this time.
In the coming period, it may be difficult to see the scene of a fierce confrontation or collision between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels in the waters of Ren'ai Jiao, which will bring relative calm to the situation at Ren'ai Jiao, reduce the room for US hype on the South China Sea issue, and provide China with more time and options to achieve a final settlement in the South China Sea.
According to the analysis, China and the Philippines may have discussed the issue of the supply of living materials for the personnel on board the Sierra Madre landing ship in recent talks. The Philippines may offer to send civilian vessels to Ren'ai Jiao for resupply, while China demands that the Philippines not send coast guard ships into Ren'ai Jiao, not to transport illegal materials, and not to hype up the resupply operation.
Such a tacit understanding will bring relative calm to the situation at Ren'ai Jiao and reduce the room for US speculation on the South China Sea issue. Ren'ai Jiao is an important island and reef in the South China Sea, and China maintains full sovereignty over the reef. However, the Philippines has been trying to challenge China's sovereignty and send ** into the reef's waters. Previously, the Philippines also tried to send civilian ships to Ren'ai Jiao to resupply, but was strongly opposed by the Chinese side.
This has led to a fierce confrontation and collision between China and the Philippines in the waters off Ren'ai Jiao. However, the recent talks seem to have brought a common understanding to China and the Philippines. According to the analysis, the Chinese side may agree to allow the Philippines to send civilian ships to Ren'ai Jiao for resupply, but on some conditions. These conditions include that the Philippines will not send coast guard ships into Second Thomas Shoal, will not transport illegal materials, and will not hype up the supply operation.
If the Philippines can comply with these conditions, then the Chinese coast guard ship can allow the Philippines to send small civilian boats to carry supplies to the wrecked ship. This tacit understanding may have been reached between China and the Philippines in order to maintain stability in the South China Sea. The Philippines** may have decided to keep a low profile on the Second Thomas Shoal issue, and this may be the best way for China and the Philippines to deal with the Second Thomas Shoal issue at this time.
By reducing conflict and confrontation, China and the Philippines can provide more time and options for finding solutions to the South China Sea issue. In addition, this tacit agreement will also reduce the room for US speculation on the South China Sea issue. The United States has been trying to interfere in the affairs of the South China Sea by sowing discord. However, the tacit understanding between China and the Philippines will make it difficult for the U.S. to hype up its plans.
Without fierce confrontation and conflict, it will be difficult for the United States to find a reason to continue hyping up the South China Sea issue. In short, the talks between China and the Philippines may have reached a tacit agreement on the issue of the supply of daily necessities for the personnel on board the Sierra Madre landing ship. The Philippines may send civilian ships to Second Thomas Shoal for resupply, subject to some conditions.
This tacit understanding will bring relative calm to the situation at Ren'ai Jiao and reduce the room for US speculation on the South China Sea issue. It also gives China more time and options to achieve a final settlement in the South China Sea.