By Jun Sheng
On December 9, the Philippine side dispatched three official vessels to illegally intrude upon the waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Island. China Coast Guard implemented control measures on them according to the law. On December 10, despite China's repeated dissuasion and warnings, the Philippines insisted on sending two coast guard vessels, one public service vessel and one supply ship to illegally enter the waters near Ren'ai Jiao in China's Nansha Islands. China Coast Guard took control measures over the Philippine vessels under laws and regulations. During this period, one Philippine vessel disregarded our serious warnings multiple times and violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. It suddenly made an unprofessional and dangerous maneuver, deliberately colliding with China's law enforcement boat and causing scratches. China's on-site operation is reasonable, legal and professional, and the responsibility for the scratches solely lies with the Philippines.
The Philippines has engaged in a series of infringements and provocative actions, which are complete farces and serious violations of China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea, including the island groups of Dongsha, Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha, and their adjacent waters, and enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters. Whatever small maneuvers or tricks the Philippines attempts, it is impossible to alter this indisputable fact.
With a focus on maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and overall China-Philippines relations, China has exercised significant restraint and patience, engaging in intensive communication with the Philippines through various levels and channels. However, for some time now, the Philippines disregarded China's goodwill and sincerity, instigated by external forces, and dispatched ships and aircraft to trespass into the waters and airspace adjacent to China's Nansha Islands and reefs. They even attempted to permanently "occupy" Ren'ai Jiao by transporting construction materials to repair and reinforce the illegally grounded ship BRP Sierra Madre.
The Philippine side has repeatedly explored the bottom of the barrel for profit by engaging in small manoeuvres and playing tricks, openly defying international law and fundamental norms of international relations. Furthermore, they gravely encroach upon China's sovereignty, jeopardize China's security, and flagrantly violate the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as well as their own commitments. Consequently, they severely disrupt peace and stability in the South China Sea.
It must be pointed out that the actions of the Philippine side are undeniably linked to external provocation and instigation. Over the years, with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has remained generally stable. However, certain hegemonic countries, in pursuit of great power competition, have gone to great lengths to instigate trouble, create divisions, and incite confrontation in the South China Sea. They openly supported the Philippines' illegal infringements and provocative acts, being unreservedly associated with the Philippines as the true troublemakers in the South China Sea.
On matters of principle, China has consistently maintained a clear stance, upheld the bottom line, and demonstrated unwavering determination to take necessary measures to safeguard its sovereign security. We warn the Philippine side to immediately cease any infringement, strictly control provocative actions on the front line, and refrain from hurting itself with detrimental actions. The China Coast Guard will continue to enforce the law within the waters under China's jurisdiction, resolutely defending national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The PLA has always maintained a high level of alertness and resolutely protected the country's sovereign security and peace and stability in the South China Sea region.
