On Wednesday, the military leadership of the Philippines accused the Chinese Communist Party of “malicious slander.” The accusation came after a local newspaper reported that a Philippine Navy vice admiral had reached an agreement with China to ease tensions in the South China Sea.
The Manila Times published what it claimed to be a record of a phone conversation, stating that a Philippine Navy vice admiral agreed to China’s proposed “new mode,” which involved reducing the number of vessels used for resupply missions at the disputed Ren’ai Reef (Second Thomas Shoal) in the South China Sea and providing advance notice of such missions to Beijing.
There has been no confirmation of the reported phone recording or the contents of the written record. The Manila Times reported that the conversation took place in January and that the text record was provided by a “senior Chinese (Communist) official” without disclosing the official’s name.
Over the past year, tensions between Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Philippine ships have escalated around Ren’ai Reef, leading to strained relations between the two countries. China has demanded that the Philippines move away from Ren’ai Reef, but the Philippines has refused to comply.
According to Reuters, Romeo Brawner, a military leader in the Philippines, stated in a release, “China (Communist) claims to have a recording… It is not worth stressing too much about, as it appears to be a malicious slander campaign by the Chinese Communist Party.”
“Text records are easily forged, and audio recordings can be manipulated. These reports aim to divert attention from the aggressive actions of the Chinese (Communist) Coast Guard,” he added.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Lin Jian, stated on Wednesday that the embassy in Manila has released detailed information on the “relevant communications” between the two countries regarding the management of the situation at Ren’ai Reef, but did not provide specifics.
For years, China has been displeased with the presence of the Philippine vessel BRP Sierra Madre at Ren’ai Reef. Manila intentionally ran aground the World War II landing ship at Ren’ai Reef 25 years ago and stationed some naval marines on board to assert its sovereignty claims.
Beijing has repeatedly claimed that the Philippines agreed to remove the vessel, a claim that Manila has denied. The Philippines has accused Beijing of pursuing aggressive policies and dangerous actions within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s extensive sovereignty claims in this strategic waterway were invalid.
Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s government, stated on April 20 that China’s claim of a so-called “new mode” for managing the West Philippine Sea situation is a form of interference aimed at dividing the Filipino people.
“As President Marcos Jr. has clearly stated, there is no agreement on the issue of Ayungin Shoal (the Philippine name for Ren’ai Reef), and we will continue to conduct all activities within the scope of international law, demonstrating that our lawful actions will not be disrupted,” Malaya said.