Environment in focus as Beijing, Manila spar over ageing warship

Vessel serving as Philippines' outpost on disputed shoal said to be causing pollution

- Lim Min Zhang and Mara Cepeda

A prominent Chinese scholar on the South China Sea has called for a “permanent solution” to the dispute over the Second Thomas Shoal, raising questions about Beijing’s intentions regarding an ageing warship stationed there as Manila’s outpost.

Philippine officials and academics have rebuffed the suggestion, vowing to take all steps necessary to ensure that the World War II-era BRP Sierra Madre can continue to be reinforced, even as such attempts have been increasingly challenged by China.

In the past year, China and the Philippines have clashed repeatedly over the shoal, which is in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, but also falls within China’s expansive nine-dash line that marks its claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea.

The latest escalation saw a face-off between Chinese coast guard and Philippine naval vessels on June 17. Both sides later agreed to restore trust and rebuild confidence.

On July 11, Dr Wu Shicun told reporters in Beijing that the current “management model” by which China “allows” the Philippines to resupply soldiers stationed at the shoal on humanitarian grounds – but not with building materials – was “not sustainable”.

This is partly because of the environmental pollution caused by the BRP Sierra Madre, he argued.

The ship is said to be in bad shape, and some analysts have suggested that it will not hold up for long without reinforcements.