Divisions Evident In Sino-Philippine South China Sea 'Arrangement'

(MNI) London - Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano has confirmed news over the weekendthat Manila and Beijing have reached a 'common understanding' to ease tensions at the Second Thomas Shoal (known in the Philippines as the Ayungin shoal) in the South China Sea. Ano: "Both sides agreed the tension will be reduced in Ayungin shoal to prevent skirmishes, anything that may lead to injury, harm to soldiers or to anyone,"

• The shoal and its surrounding waters are claimed by the Philippines, China, Vietnam and Taiwan. Since 1999, the Philippine naval vessel BRP Sierra Madre has been beached on the shoal and constantly manned. However, it has been the site of a number of stand-offs between Chinese and Filipino vessels as the latter attempt to deliver supplies to the sailors aboard.
• Ano says that a 'provisional arrangement on resupply between China and the Phillipines is not an agreement, but a common understanding for accepted parameters'. Says that no on-site inspection was agreed to, and that the contents of the provisional arrangement will not be issued in public unless both sides consent.
• Says that 'We did not agree on anything that will undermine the Philippine position on the South China Sea'.
• The secretive nature of the 'arrangement' has already run into trouble. Chinese FM spox Mao Ning said that resupply missions would take place “if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted,”
• The first test of the arrangement will come when the Philippines makes its first re-supply effort, whether Chinese vessels attemt to disrupt or allow passage to the ship.