The Philippines and China have agreed on a provisional arrangement to facilitate the resupply of a Philippine military outpost on a contested reef in the South China Sea. This development, announced by Manila on Sunday, aims to reduce tensions in one of the region’s most volatile areas.

Diplomats from both nations reached the agreement following a series of consultations over the past few weeks. The deal concerns resupply missions to the Sierra Madre, a dilapidated warship stationed on Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the agreement, although China has yet to comment.

If successfully implemented, this arrangement could de-escalate a year-long cycle of confrontations where Chinese coast guard vessels have disrupted Philippine military resupply missions. In the most severe incident, Chinese forces in June rammed Philippine vessels, confiscated weapons, and damaged boats, raising fears of a potential conflict involving the United States, an ally of the Philippines.

The reef is located within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, granting it exclusive usage rights under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. However, China claims sovereignty over the reef and much of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 arbitration ruling rejecting Beijing’s claims.

The DFA stated that both countries acknowledge the need to manage differences through dialogue and that the agreement does not compromise their respective claims in the South China Sea. Despite this, some observers remain skeptical about the agreement’s potential to reduce tensions, noting China’s persistent efforts to undermine Philippine control over the shoal.

China has previously claimed to have reached informal agreements with the Philippines regarding the Sierra Madre, only to later accuse Manila of non-compliance and resume aggressive actions. Philippine officials indicated that China had proposed earlier to permit the delivery of basic supplies, provided Manila informed Beijing in advance and refrained from reinforcing the Sierra Madre.

This latest provisional arrangement follows bilateral talks held in Manila on July 2, aiming to address ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. The international community will closely watch the implementation of this agreement, hoping it leads to a lasting reduction in regional tensions.