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→Territorial claims: Fixed wrong info
Tags: Reverted Mobile edit Mobile web edit
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Revert. West Philippine Sea is terminology pecul;iar to the Philippine government that refers to part of the South China Sea.
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{{Short description|Attoll in the |
{{Short description|Attoll in the South China Sea}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}} |
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}} |
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{{Infobox islands |
{{Infobox islands |
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| image_caption = Second Thomas Shoal |
| image_caption = Second Thomas Shoal |
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| pushpin_map = Spratly Islands relief |
| pushpin_map = Spratly Islands relief |
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| location = [[ |
| location = [[South China Sea]] |
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| coordinates = {{coord|9|44|N|115|52|E|display=inline,title|name=Second Thomas Shoal}} |
| coordinates = {{coord|9|44|N|115|52|E|display=inline,title|name=Second Thomas Shoal}} |
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| archipelago = [[Spratly Islands]] |
| archipelago = [[Spratly Islands]] |
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'''Second Thomas Shoal''', also known as '''Ayungin Shoal''' ({{lang-fil|Buhanginan ng Ayungin|lit=sandbank of silver perch}}), '''Bãi Cỏ Mây''' ([[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]) and '''Rén'ài Jiāo''' ({{zh|c=仁爱礁/仁愛礁}}),<ref>{{cite book |title=Sailing Directions – |
'''Second Thomas Shoal''', also known as '''Ayungin Shoal''' ({{lang-fil|Buhanginan ng Ayungin|lit=sandbank of silver perch}}), '''Bãi Cỏ Mây''' ([[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]) and '''Rén'ài Jiāo''' ({{zh|c=仁爱礁/仁愛礁}}),<ref>{{cite book |title=Sailing Directions – South China Sea |publisher=UK Hydrographic Office |location=Taunton |url=http://www.ukho.gov.uk}}</ref> is a submerged [[reef]] in the [[Spratly Islands]] of the [[South China Sea]], {{convert|105|nmi|km mi}} west of [[Palawan]], [[Philippines]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Sailing Directions Enroute : Publication 158 – Philippine Islands |year=2013 |publisher=US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)|location=Springfield, Virginia }}</ref> It is a disputed territory and claimed by several nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pacom.mil/Portals/55/Documents/pdf/J06-Sierra%20Madre%20and%20Second%20Thomas%20Shoal.pdf?ver=pLzHUXFTPSsSWX5ElSc8lA%3D%3D|title=TOPIC: Sierra Madre, Second Thomas Shoal, and the U.S. Commitment to Defense of the Philippines |website=pacom.mil|date=February 23, 2023}}</ref> The reef is occupied by Philippine Navy personnel aboard a ship, the [[BRP Sierra Madre|BRP ''Sierra Madre'']] (LT-57), that was intentionally grounded on the reef in 1999 and has been periodically replenished since then. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Philippine supply ships subsequently avoided Chinese blockades in order to deliver food, water and other supplies to the garrison.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-china-reef-idUSBREA2U02720140331 |title=Philippine ship dodges China blockade to reach South China Sea outpost |last1=de Castro |first1=Erik |last2=Ng |first2=Roli |date=31 March 2014 |website=www.reuters.com |publisher=Thomson Reuters |accessdate=1 April 2014}}</ref> PRC coast guard vessels blocked two attempts by Philippine ships to resupply the garrison on March 9, 2014. Supplies were [[airdrop]]ped to the garrison three days later. A supply ship with replacement troops successfully reached the atoll on March 29, 2014 by sailing through shallow waters where the PRC vessels, having deeper [[Draft (hull)|drafts]], were unable to follow.<ref>Gomez, Jim, [[Associated Press]], "Philippine supply ship evades Chinese blockade", 29 March 2014</ref> Since then, the Philippine military has been sending relief and provisions by supply boats.<ref name=ABC>{{cite news |last=Campbell |first=Eric |title= Reef Madness |url= http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2014/s4008035.htm |accessdate=23 May 2014 |newspaper=ABC News |date=20 May 2014}}</ref> |
Philippine supply ships subsequently avoided Chinese blockades in order to deliver food, water and other supplies to the garrison.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-china-reef-idUSBREA2U02720140331 |title=Philippine ship dodges China blockade to reach South China Sea outpost |last1=de Castro |first1=Erik |last2=Ng |first2=Roli |date=31 March 2014 |website=www.reuters.com |publisher=Thomson Reuters |accessdate=1 April 2014}}</ref> PRC coast guard vessels blocked two attempts by Philippine ships to resupply the garrison on March 9, 2014. Supplies were [[airdrop]]ped to the garrison three days later. A supply ship with replacement troops successfully reached the atoll on March 29, 2014 by sailing through shallow waters where the PRC vessels, having deeper [[Draft (hull)|drafts]], were unable to follow.<ref>Gomez, Jim, [[Associated Press]], "Philippine supply ship evades Chinese blockade", 29 March 2014</ref> Since then, the Philippine military has been sending relief and provisions by supply boats.<ref name=ABC>{{cite news |last=Campbell |first=Eric |title= Reef Madness |url= http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2014/s4008035.htm |accessdate=23 May 2014 |newspaper=ABC News |date=20 May 2014}}</ref> |
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In 1999, president [[Joseph Estrada]] promised that the vessel would be towed away.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-26 |title=Letter {{!}} Philippine-China ‘gentleman’s agreement’ on |
In 1999, president [[Joseph Estrada]] promised that the vessel would be towed away.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-26 |title=Letter {{!}} Philippine-China ‘gentleman’s agreement’ on South China Sea is best adhered to |url=https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3260294/china-philippines-gentlemans-agreement-south-china-sea-best-adhered |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> <ref>https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/14/opinion/columns/ph-did-promise-to-remove-brp-sierra-madre-from-ayungin/1905253 PRESIDENT Joseph Estrada did promise in 1999 to remove the BRP Sierra Madre, which his Navy deliberately grounded on Ayungin (Second Thomas Shoal). In the instances when the governments of Estrada and later of President Benigno Aquino 3rd were reminded of that commitment by the Chinese, they claimed that technical difficulties prevented them from removing the landing ship, tank (LST) Sierra Madre.</ref> In 2014, the Chinese government asked the Philippines to remove the grounded ship.<ref>{{cite news |title= China 'posturing' to seize Ayungin – Golez |url= http://www.rappler.com/nation/53374-china-posturing-ayungin-seizure |accessdate=21 March 2014 |newspaper=Rappler |date=19 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Esmaquel |first=Paterno |title=China digs up details vs PH on Ayungin |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/53242-china-philippines-stranded-ship-ayungin-consequences |accessdate=21 March 2014 |newspaper=Rappler |date=18 March 2014}}</ref> The Philippine president [[Bongbong Marcos]] said in 2023, “I am not aware of such agreement. If there was, I rescind it as of this moment.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corrales |first=Nestor |date=2023-08-10 |title=Pact on Ayungin rescinded, if there’s any – Marcos |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217585/pact-on-ayungin-rescinded-if-theres-any-marcos |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/no-existing-agreement-to-remove-brp-sierra-madre-from-ayungin-shoal-pbbm/ “And let me go further, if there does exist such an agreement, I rescind that agreement now,” President Marcos said. PND</ref> |
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In 2017, China and the Philippines established a [[gentlemen's agreement]] that the status quo be maintained for the |
In 2017, China and the Philippines established a [[gentlemen's agreement]] that the status quo be maintained for the South China Sea, as both sides tried to strengthen their relations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-26 |title=Letter {{!}} Philippine-China ‘gentleman’s agreement’ on South China Sea is best adhered to |url=https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3260294/china-philippines-gentlemans-agreement-south-china-sea-best-adhered |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1AV0VS/ China has assured the Philippines it will not occupy new features or territory in the South China Sea, under a new "status quo" brokered by Manila as both sides try to strengthen their relations, the Philippine defence minister said.</ref> Under the status quo agreement, no construction materials are allowed to fortify the ''Sierra Madre''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bautista |first=Jane |title=Duterte's China ‘agreement’ on Ayungin prevented supply of construction material, says his spokesman |url=https://asianews.network/dutertes-china-agreement-on-ayungin-prevented-supply-of-construction-material-says-his-spokesman/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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In November 2021, [[China Coast Guard]] (CCG) vessels used [[water cannon]]s and blocked two Philippine supply boats, preventing the boats from delivering essential supplies to the Philippine marines stationed on the BRP ''Sierra Madre''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/18/chinese-vessels-use-water-cannon-to-block-philippines-vessels-from-disputed-shoal|title = Chinese vessels use water cannon to block Philippines vessels from disputed shoal|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = November 18, 2021}}</ref> On 6 August 2023, Chinese Coast Guard ships again [[August 2023 Second Thomas Shoal standoff|fired water cannons]] at a [[Philippine Coast Guard]] ship resupplying the ''Sierra Madre''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philippines tells China it will not abandon post in disputed reef |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-philippines-south-china-sea-warship-water-cannon-3682521 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref> The Navy-operated boat carried food, water and repair material for Sierra Madre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cabal |first=Kaye |date=2023-09-04 |title=Chinese harassment in Ayungin will happen again |url=https://www.rappler.com/plus-membership-program/chinese-harassment-ayungin-shoal-will-happen-again/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref> On 22 October 2023, Philippine officials disclosed that Chinese vessels had rammed a Philippine Coast Guard ship and military-run supply boat on 17 October during a replenishment mission to the ''Sierra Madre''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Philippines says a coast guard ship and supply boat were rammed by Chinese vessels at disputed shoal |url=https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-second-thomas-shoal-64d4fad7bb42b44f991df183fb39fe1d |agency=AP News|date = 22 October 2023}}</ref> |
In November 2021, [[China Coast Guard]] (CCG) vessels used [[water cannon]]s and blocked two Philippine supply boats, preventing the boats from delivering essential supplies to the Philippine marines stationed on the BRP ''Sierra Madre''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/18/chinese-vessels-use-water-cannon-to-block-philippines-vessels-from-disputed-shoal|title = Chinese vessels use water cannon to block Philippines vessels from disputed shoal|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = November 18, 2021}}</ref> On 6 August 2023, Chinese Coast Guard ships again [[August 2023 Second Thomas Shoal standoff|fired water cannons]] at a [[Philippine Coast Guard]] ship resupplying the ''Sierra Madre''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philippines tells China it will not abandon post in disputed reef |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-philippines-south-china-sea-warship-water-cannon-3682521 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref> The Navy-operated boat carried food, water and repair material for Sierra Madre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cabal |first=Kaye |date=2023-09-04 |title=Chinese harassment in Ayungin will happen again |url=https://www.rappler.com/plus-membership-program/chinese-harassment-ayungin-shoal-will-happen-again/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref> On 22 October 2023, Philippine officials disclosed that Chinese vessels had rammed a Philippine Coast Guard ship and military-run supply boat on 17 October during a replenishment mission to the ''Sierra Madre''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Philippines says a coast guard ship and supply boat were rammed by Chinese vessels at disputed shoal |url=https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-second-thomas-shoal-64d4fad7bb42b44f991df183fb39fe1d |agency=AP News|date = 22 October 2023}}</ref> |
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| Disputed atoll | |
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Second Thomas Shoal
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  Second Thomas Shoal
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| Other names | Ayungin Shoal (Philippine English) Bãi Cỏ Mây (Vietnamese) Buhanginan ng Ayungin (Filipino) Rén'ài Jiāo 仁爱礁/仁愛礁 (Chinese) |
| Geography | |
| Location | South China Sea |
| Coordinates | 9°44′N 115°52′E / 9.733°N 115.867°E / 9.733; 115.867 (Second Thomas Shoal) |
| Archipelago | Spratly Islands |
| Administration | |
| Region | Southwestern Tagalog Region |
| Province | Palawan |
| Municipality | Kalayaan |
| Claimed by | |
Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal (Filipino: Buhanginan ng Ayungin, lit. 'sandbank of silver perch'), Bãi Cỏ Mây (Vietnamese) and Rén'ài Jiāo (Chinese: 仁爱礁/仁愛礁),[1] is a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea, 105 nautical miles (194 km; 121 mi) west of Palawan, Philippines.[2] It is a disputed territory and claimed by several nations.[3] The reef is occupied by Philippine Navy personnel aboard a ship, the BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57), that was intentionally grounded on the reef in 1999 and has been periodically replenished since then.
The atoll is one of three named after Thomas Gilbert, captain of the Charlotte:
Located south-east of Mischief Reef (09°55′N 115°32′E / 9.917°N 115.533°E / 9.917; 115.533), Second Thomas Shoal is near the centre of Dangerous Ground in the north-eastern part of the Spratly Islands; there are no settlements north or east of it.[4][5] It is a tear-drop shaped atoll, 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi) long north–south[6] and fringed with coral reefs.[7] The coral rim surrounds a lagoon which has depths of up to 27 metres (89 ft) and is accessible to small boats from the east. Drying reef patches are found east and west of the reef rim.
On 12 July 2016, the UNCLOS tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration concluded that Second Thomas Shoal is, or in its natural condition was, exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide and, accordingly, has low-tide elevations that do not generate an entitlement to a territorial sea, exclusive economic zone or continental shelf.[8]
Second Thomas Shoal is claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.[9]
The Philippine Navy maintains a presence of less than a dozen Marine personnel on the 100 m (330 ft) long Second World War US-built Philippine Navy landing craft Sierra Madre, which was deliberately run aground at the atoll in 1999 in response to the Chinese reclamation of Mischief Reef.[10][11] The Philippines claims that the atoll is part of its continental shelf,[12] while parts of the Spratly group of islands, where Second Thomas Shoal lies, are claimed by China, Brunei, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Philippine supply ships subsequently avoided Chinese blockades in order to deliver food, water and other supplies to the garrison.[13] PRC coast guard vessels blocked two attempts by Philippine ships to resupply the garrison on March 9, 2014. Supplies were airdropped to the garrison three days later. A supply ship with replacement troops successfully reached the atoll on March 29, 2014 by sailing through shallow waters where the PRC vessels, having deeper drafts, were unable to follow.[14] Since then, the Philippine military has been sending relief and provisions by supply boats.[15]
In 1999, president Joseph Estrada promised that the vessel would be towed away.[16] [17] In 2014, the Chinese government asked the Philippines to remove the grounded ship.[18][19] The Philippine president Bongbong Marcos said in 2023, “I am not aware of such agreement. If there was, I rescind it as of this moment.”[20][21]
In 2017, China and the Philippines established a gentlemen's agreement that the status quo be maintained for the South China Sea, as both sides tried to strengthen their relations.[22][23] Under the status quo agreement, no construction materials are allowed to fortify the Sierra Madre.[24]
In November 2021, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels used water cannons and blocked two Philippine supply boats, preventing the boats from delivering essential supplies to the Philippine marines stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre.[25] On 6 August 2023, Chinese Coast Guard ships again fired water cannons at a Philippine Coast Guard ship resupplying the Sierra Madre.[26] The Navy-operated boat carried food, water and repair material for Sierra Madre.[27] On 22 October 2023, Philippine officials disclosed that Chinese vessels had rammed a Philippine Coast Guard ship and military-run supply boat on 17 October during a replenishment mission to the Sierra Madre.[28]
In April 2024, Philippines’ Marcos said he was ‘horrified’ by revelations of Xi Jinping and Duterte's secret ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ for preserving the status quo in disputed waters.[29][30]
Later that April, China claimed to have reached an agreement with the Philippines in adopting a "new model" over the disputed atoll. The claim was subsequently refuted by the Philippines, with defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro stating that the Philippines would not enter into any agreements compromising its territorial claims.[31]
The Singapore National University Gazetteer (Number 75967),[32] and the US NGA Gazetteer[33] list the following as other names for the Second Thomas Shoal:
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| Pratas Island |
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| Paracel Islands |
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| Northeastern SCS |
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| Spratly Islands |
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| Southeastern SCS |
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| Southern SCS |
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| Tudjuh Archipelago |
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