China and Philippines Dispute Medical Evacuation in South China Sea

China denies obstructing evacuation of a sick soldier from a grounded Philippine warship, accusing Manila of misleading the international community.

China claims it allowed the evacuation on humanitarian grounds and monitored the operation.
The Philippines reports obstructive maneuvers by Chinese vessels during the evacuation.
Beijing asserts sovereignty over the contested Second Thomas Shoal, also claimed by the Philippines.
The grounded Philippine warship has been a point of contention since it was deliberately beached in 1999.
China rejects the 2016 ruling by The Hague that invalidated its expansive maritime claims.