Philippines and China reach South China Sea 'arrangement'

China and the Philippines have reached a deal they hope will end confrontations at a fiercely contested atoll in the South China Sea.

“The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” the Philippine Foreign Ministry said Sunday, using the Filipino name for Second Thomas Shoal.

The Philippines occupies the Second Thomas Shoal,…