China News Service, Beijing, March 28 (Reporter Liang Xiaohui and Huang Yuqin) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian hosted a regular press conference on the 28th.
A reporter asked: On March 26, a spokesman for South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that South Korea was seriously concerned about the recent repeated use of water cannons in the South China Sea, which caused serious damage to Philippine ships and injured crew members. The South China Sea is a major international waterway used by all countries, including South Korea. The above-mentioned actions have exacerbated tensions in the South China Sea and undermined efforts to maintain peace, stability, security and a rules-based maritime order. In any case, freedom of navigation and overflight must be respected by all countries in accordance with the principles of international law such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. What is China's comment?
Lin Jian: I have noticed that the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea has made consecutive comments on the South China Sea issue that ignore the facts. China is strongly dissatisfied with this and has made representations to South Korea. China has made clear its position on the Philippines’ reimbursement to Ren’ai Reef. I would like to emphasize again that Ren'ai Reef is part of China's Nansha Islands and has always been China's territory.
On March 23, the Philippines once again violated its commitments and sent a supply ship and two coast guard ships to illegally invade the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef in the name of supplying living supplies. In fact, the Philippine side's supply shipment is not to transport living supplies at all, but to repair and reinforce building materials for illegally "sitting on the beach" warships. The purpose is to build permanent outposts on China's uninhabited islands and reefs, so as to achieve control of Ren'ai Reef. permanent illegal occupation. The Philippines has gone back on its word, broken its word, seriously violated the commitments it made to China many times, and seriously violated the provisions of Article 5 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Faced with the forcible intrusion by the Philippine ship, the Chinese Coast Guard had no choice but to take necessary law enforcement measures. The on-site operations were legitimate, legal, professional and restrained, and were beyond reproach. China demands that the Philippines immediately stop its infringement and provocation. If it insists on going its own way, China will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea has never been a problem. More than 100,000 merchant ships pass through the waters every year, and so far not a single merchant ship has encountered obstacles.
South Korea is not a party to the South China Sea issue, and its recent actions are not conducive to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, let alone the development of China-South Korea relations. China urges South Korea to be cautious in its words and deeds on the South China Sea issue. (over)