Philippines Reasserts Claim Over Sabina Shoal Amid Talks with China to Ease Tensions

Manila: The Philippines has reaffirmed its stance on the Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, even as it continues discussions with China to explore measures for reducing tensions in the contested region, according to the Philippine Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

The two countries engaged in another round of talks under the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) in China on September 11. Both sides agreed to further dialogue on various cooperative efforts, including enhancing hotline communication, coast guard collaboration, and advancing marine scientific and technological cooperation, the ministry said in a statement.

China, in a separate statement issued late Wednesday, reiterated its demand for the immediate withdrawal of a Philippine vessel from the area and pledged to “firmly uphold its sovereignty” over the disputed waters.

These “frank” discussions occurred amid rising tensions at Sabina Shoal, where both nations have exchanged accusations of vessel ramming in recent weeks. The Philippine Coast Guard has stationed its Theresa Magbanua vessel near the shoal since mid-April, suspecting Chinese reclamation activities in the area.

In their previous BCM talks held in July, Manila and Beijing reached a “provisional arrangement” for resupply missions to Philippine soldiers stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal, another hotspot in the South China Sea.

China claims the majority of the South China Sea, including areas that overlap with the maritime zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. However, a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal invalidated China’s sweeping claims—a decision Beijing has consistently refused to acknowledge.