The Philippines has deployed a new coast guard vessel to Sabina Shoal, replacing a ship that returned to port after a five-month deployment. This move is likely to further escalate tensions with China, which has demanded the Philippines withdraw its presence in the area.

China has accused the Philippines of “illegally stranding” its coast guard vessel, the Teresa Magbanua, at the atoll, which it claims as its own. Beijing has stated that the Philippines’ actions “seriously infringe on China’s territorial sovereignty.”

The Teresa Magbanua, which was deployed to monitor potential land reclamation activities by China, has returned to port as its mission is complete. The Philippine Coast Guard and National Maritime Council (NMC) have confirmed that a new vessel will immediately take over, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a presence at Sabina Shoal.

Sabina Shoal, known as Xianbin Reef by China and Escoda Shoal by the Philippines, is located 93 miles west of the Philippine province of Palawan, within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The presence of the Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal has sparked tensions between Manila and Beijing, with both sides accusing each other of ramming vessels near the shoal last month. This incident occurred shortly after the two countries reached an agreement on resupply missions to a beached Filipino naval ship in the Second Thomas Shoal.

The return of the Teresa Magbanua was necessary for medical reasons and repairs. Once the vessel has been resupplied and repaired, it will resume its mission alongside other coast guard and “as defenders of our sovereignty,” according to Lucas Bersamin, executive secretary and NMC chairman.

This deployment follows high-level talks between Manila and Beijing in China last week, where the Philippines reiterated its stance on Sabina Shoal and China repeated its demand for the withdrawal of the Philippine vessel.

China’s coast guard has stated that it will continue to enforce law in waters under its jurisdiction, safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, extending into maritime zones claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. In 2016, the Hague arbitration tribunal ruled against China’s expansive claims, a decision that Beijing rejects.