China News Service, March 15. According to the "Ministry of Defense Release" WeChat public account, on the afternoon of March 15, Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, deputy director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, released news on recent military-related issues.
A reporter asked: According to reports, not long ago, Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships collided again in the waters of Ren'ai Reef. According to statistics, the two sides have had nearly 10 frictions in the disputed waters this year. Philippine military and political officials believe that China has acted more forcefully. The United States reiterated that the United States and the Philippines have The Mutual Defense Treaty supports the Philippines.
What is the spokesperson's comment on this?
Zhang Xiaogang said that on March 5, without the permission of the Chinese government, Philippine ships trespassed into the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef in China's Nansha Islands and attempted to transport materials, including construction materials, to its illegal "beaching" warships. During this period, they also deliberately collided with China. Coast Guard ships, the China Coast Guard takes necessary control measures in accordance with the law, and the on-site operations are professional, restrained, reasonable and legal.
We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the Philippines' infringement and provocations.
China released relevant factual images as soon as possible, and the truth is clear at a glance.
The infringement is illegal. The Philippines is well aware that its territorial scope is determined by a series of international treaties including the Spanish-American Peace Treaty. The Nansha Islands and Reef, including Second Thomas Shoal, have never been within the territory of the Philippines. The Philippines has not yet towed away the illegally "sitting on the beach" warships. It has also attempted to repair and strengthen the Ren'ai Reef to permanently occupy China's Ren'ai Reef, which is a serious violation of China's sovereignty. It is completely illegal, invalid and impossible to succeed.
It was the Philippines that broke its promise and acted recklessly. It ignored China's goodwill restraints, went back on its word, repeatedly broke into the waters near China's Ren'ai Reef, provoked troubles, violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, engaged in dangerous "collision", and violated both sides. The consensus to manage differences through negotiation has seriously undermined maritime order, security and stability, and seriously violated the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
It is the Philippines that is committing fraud. Under the guise of transporting living supplies, the Philippines not only transports construction materials, but also carries reporters to stage photos. Recently, a small number of Philippine military officials are willing to "suffer misfortune" to deceive sympathy. This is deceiving themselves and others, and it can't be more staged. No one would believe it at all.
It should be pointed out that some major countries outside the region have ignored the facts, endorsed the Philippines’ platform, stirred up trouble, and tried to disrupt the regional situation. This kind of behavior of using the Philippines as a chess piece and seeking personal gain is unpopular. It is in common with regional countries to seek peace and development. The opposite of what you want.
China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Second Thomas Shoal, and its adjacent waters, and China is unwavering in its determination to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
We warn the Philippines not to act arbitrarily and immediately stop taking any provocative actions that may aggravate disputes and complicate the situation. We also advise certain countries outside the region to stop encouraging words and deeds that support the Philippines' infringement and adventure, and not to become a spoiler in the South China Sea.
China will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.