BEIJING: China’s coast guard said on humanitarian grounds it had “allowed” the Philippines to evacuate a person who had fallen ill on a rusting warship beached on the Second Thomas Shoal located in waters claimed by both countries.
The Chinese Coast Guard said in a statement late on Tuesday (Jul 9) that it monitored and verified the entire operation on Sunday, which its spokesperson said was at the request from relevant parties in the Philippines.
A month ago, Philippine coast guard accused its Chinese counterpart of blocking a medical evacuation from the warship, calling the actions “barbaric and inhumane”.
China’s foreign ministry said the same day that China will allow the Philippines to deliver supplies and evacuate personnel if Manila notifies Beijing ahead of a mission.
