China says it allowed Philippines to resupply warship amid diplomatic tensions

China has allowed the Philippines to resupply a grounded warship on a disputed South China Sea reef, the coastguard said on Wednesday, as tension remains high over the Chinese ambassador’s controversial comment.

The Philippines delivered necessities to its warship BRP Sierra Madre grounded at the Second Thomas Shoal on Wednesday, “with permission from the Chinese side”, the China Coast Guard said in a statement.

“The China Coast Guard conducted confirmation checks and maintained full supervision throughout the operation,” CCG spokesman Jiang Lue said, adding that China would continue to carry out rights-protection and law enforcement activities in the area.

The Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ren’ai Jiao in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines, is one of the major flashpoints in the South China Sea.