China rebukes Philippines, denies blocking medical evacuation from Second Thomas Shoal

Philippine Navy says it faced ‘obstructing and delaying manoeuvres’ by China Coast Guard when moving patient from grounded warship

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China says it allowed the Philippines to evacuate an ill person from an “illegally grounded warship”, the BRP Sierra Madre pictured, under “humanitarian considerations” and denies it blocked the medical transport. Photo: AP

Published: 1:42pm, 10 Jul 2024Updated: 2:46pm, 10 Jul 2024

China has hit out at the Philippines, accusing it of “deliberately misleading” the international community over their latest squabble in the South China Sea in which Philippine forces claimed Chinese vessels tried to block the evacuation of a sick soldier.

In a statement on Tuesday, China Coast Guard said it had allowed the Philippines to evacuate an ill person from an “illegally grounded warship” under “humanitarian considerations” and had “monitored and verified” their actions in accordance with the law.

According to the Philippine Navy, the navy patient was taken from the BRP Sierra Madre – a rusting vessel that was run aground at Second Thomas Shoal 25 years ago – to Camp Ricarte Station Hospital in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

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It said the Philippine coastguard had “faced numerous obstructing and delaying manoeuvres” by its Chinese counterpart but “remained steadfast”.

Chinese coastguard spokesman Gan Yu said in the statement: “The relevant Philippine parties ignored the facts, maliciously hyped up [accusations], and deliberately misled international cognition.”

“The Chinese coastguard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in China’s jurisdictional waters in accordance with the law, and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Gan said.

He said China had “indisputable sovereignty” over the Nansha Islands, also known as the Spratly Islands, including Renai Reef and its surrounding waters.