Problem:
A previous attempt by the Philippines to get an independent arbitral tribunal to rule on the matter ended with the decision that China had no lawful claims within its so-called nine dash line, the boundary it uses to claim a large swathe of the South China Sea. Beijing refused to participate in the proceedings, and has also refused to recognise the ruling. But in recent weeks both countries have made an attempt to de-escalate the immediate conflicts out at sea. Last month they agreed to allow the Philippines to restock the outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal with food, supplies and personnel. Since then this has taken place with no reported clashes. The Sabina Shoal, claimed by China as Xianbin Jiao and as Escoda Shoal by the Philippines, is located some 75 nautical miles from the Philippines' west coast and 630 nautical miles from China. The South China Sea is a major shipping route through which $3 trillion worth of trade passes through a year. Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Following the latest clash, China's coast guard called on the Philippines to withdraw from the Sabina Shoal while pledging to "resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement". The Philippines coast guard said it would not move its vessel - the Teresa Magbanua - "despite the harassment, the bullying activities and escalatory action of the Chinese coast guard". There were no casualties