Philippine vessel evades Chinese ships in disputed waters
A Philippine re-supply ship evaded a Chinese coastguard blockade in the South China Sea yesterday to reach Filipino soldiers based on a remote reef claimed by both countries, the military said.
The dramatic, two-hour stand-off witnessed by AFP was the latest incident in a dispute between the two countries.
It took place at Second Thomas Shoal, where a small number of Filipino soldiers are stationed on a Navy vessel that was grounded there in 1999 to assert the Philippines' sovereignty.
The Philippine military said the ship, a fishing vessel with soldiers on board, completed its mission to deliver fresh supplies and rotate the troops. - AFP.
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