Key facts
- China's coast guard monitored a Philippine vessel delivering necessities to Second Thomas Shoal on Wednesday.
- China claims Second Thomas Shoal as its territory.
- The Philippine foreign ministry summoned China's ambassador on Monday to express concern over remarks by the envoy.
China's coast guard said it monitored a Philippine vessel delivering necessities to Second Thomas Shoal on Wednesday, approximately one month after Manila accused Beijing of obstructing its resupply mission in the disputed South China Sea. The China Coast Guard stated that the Philippine ship receiving the delivery was "illegally grounded" at the shoal, which China claims as its own territory along with most of the South China Sea. China's territorial claim in the South China Sea overlaps with those of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam, and has led to disputes and clashes between Beijing and Manila. On September 25, the Philippine Coast Guard accused China of obstructing a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal, while China stated that the Philippines had ignored Beijing's warnings, leading to "on-site monitoring" and verbal warnings. The Philippine foreign ministry summoned China's ambassador on Monday to express its "serious concern and strong objection" regarding remarks by the envoy that it deemed a threat of force. The Chinese diplomat disagreed that his remarks conveyed a "threat."