China-Philippines relations

From its base in Luzon, the Typhon land-based missile system has the ability to strike targets in mainland China.

The withdrawal of the PCG's flagship has prompted some to claim that Beijing has forced Manila to back down at Sabina Shoal.

The incident comes a week after a similar encounter near the shoal, which lies 140 kilometers off the coast of the Philippines' westernmost island, Palawan.

The clash suggests that Beijing's pressure campaign, previously focused on Second Thomas Shoal, is moving to other parts of the Spratly Islands.

An analysis of the Philippines’ recent resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal suggests that the understanding can, in fact, satisfy both sides’ red lines.

Manila said that “no untoward incidents" took place during Saturday's mission to Second Thomas Shoal, but the two sides continue to trade public barbs.

Despite pledging to de-escalate tensions at Second Thomas Shoal, Beijing and Manila continue to exchange rhetorical fire.

The two sides pledged this week to de-escalate the situation after a June 17 clash at a disputed shoal in the Spratly Islands.

The "frank and constructive discussions” came two weeks after a major clash close to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.

Will Manila request greater U.S. assistance in its ongoing stand-off with China at Second Thomas Shoal?

The country's top diplomat says that the country will pursue "confidence building measures," but is "not blind" to recent incidents in the South China Sea.