The Philippines has agreed with China on a “provisional arrangement” for resupplying its military outpost on a disputed South China Sea reef which has become one of the region’s most dangerous flashpoints, Manila said on Sunday.

Diplomats from the two sides reached the deal over the Philippines’ resupply missions to the Sierra Madre, a rusting warship on Second Thomas Shoal, after a series of consultations in recent weeks, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

In remarks published after midnight, China’s foreign ministry confirmed that it had agreed to “allow” humanitarian Philippine resupply missions, but also reiterated its sovereignty claim and demand Manila tow the ship away. It also repeated its condition that China conduct “on-site verification” and said it would “supervise” each resupply mission.