Chinanews.com, Beijing, December 12 (Reporter Li Jingze) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning presided over a regular press conference on the 29th.
A reporter asked: According to reports, AFP spokesman Aguilar said a few days ago that the Philippine government is considering building a permanent civilian structure, such as a lighthouse or a marine scientific research center, at Second Thomas Shoal. A also said that Ren'ai Jiao belongs to the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, and only the Philippines can build buildings there, and in the future, the Philippines will no longer transport military supplies, but civilian supplies. What is China's response to this?
Mao Ning: Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Islands, and China's indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Islands, including Ren'ai Jiao, and its adjacent waters has been formed and established over a long period of history and is in line with international law, including the UN Charter. The Philippines claims that Ren'ai Jiao belongs to the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and continental shelf on the basis of the so-called award in the illegal and invalid South China Sea arbitration case, which denies China's territorial sovereignty over Ren'ai Jiao, violates the principles of international law and is legally untenable.
According to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and ASEAN countries, all parties should maintain the status of Ren'ai Jiao as uninhabited and uninhabited.
The Philippine side has repeatedly violated its commitments, changed its policies, and repeatedly violated its rights and provoked provocations on the Ren'ai Jiao issue, triggering a complicated situation. Recently, a Philippine military spokesman openly claimed that it would build a permanent structure on Ren'ai Jiao, which will be a major move by the Philippine side to once again break its promises, change its policy again, and once again undermine the uninhabited and unequipped state of Ren'ai Jiao. This would be a serious violation of China's sovereignty and a serious violation of international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. China will resolutely respond to any infringement and provocation and firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. (ENDS)