China to PH: Stop 'infringement, provocation' at sea or 'bear consequences'

MANILA, Philippines —CHINA warned the Philippines to cease «infringement and provocation at sea at once» or «bear the consequences.»

«China will firmly safeguard its lawful rights and interests. We urge the Philippines to stop infringement and provocation at sea at once. Otherwise, the Philippines shall bear the consequences,» said China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Lin Jian, during his regular press conference in Beijing on June 20, 2024.

The warning was issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry three days after the June 17 confrontation between Chinese and Philippine vessels in Ayungin Shoal, leading to injuries to Philippine Navy personnel.

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian. AFP Photo

Beijing said that the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) did not take direct measures against the Philippines. However, the armed forces released a new video of the incident, which showed Chinese personnel firing tear gas, damaging equipment, and brandishing bolos.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman alleged that the Philippine side has been calling white black and falsely accusing China. Ren'ai Jiao (Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal) is part of China's Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands) and Chinese territory.

According to Lin Jian, the Philippine side illegally intruded on the waters of Ren'ai Jiao without China's permission, violating international law and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

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«This is sheer provocation and has no justification whatsoever. Moreover, this operation of the Philippines is not about 'humanitarian resupply.' The Philippine vessels secretly carried construction materials and even weapons and equipment, and they deliberately rammed Chinese vessels,» he remarked.

The Chinese spokesman alleged the Philippine side threw water and hurled objects at Chinese enforcement personnel. These acts escalated tensions at sea and severely threatened the safety of Chinese personnel and vessels.

He stressed that the Chinese side took necessary measures by law to safeguard its sovereignty, which was lawful and justified and done professionally and restrainedly. It was beyond reproach.