According to the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson's Office", at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 19, a Reuters reporter asked: Today the Chinese Coast Guard said that a Philippine Coast Guard ship deliberately rammed a Chinese Coa

According to the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson's Office", at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 19, a Reuters reporter asked: Today the Chinese Coast Guard said that a Philippine coast guard ship deliberately rammed a Chinese coast guard boat. In response to this incident , what measures will the Ministry of Foreign Affairs take? How will this incident affect the stability of the entire South China Sea situation?

Mao Ning: On August 19, two Philippine coast guard ships trespassed into the waters adjacent to Xianbin Reef in China’s Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government. They ignored the dissuasion and warnings of the Chinese coast guard ships and deliberately rammed into the law enforcement officers on site in a dangerous manner. Chinese coast guard ship. The responsibility for the collision between ships from both sides lies entirely with the Philippines. The Chinese Coast Guard took necessary measures against the Philippine vessel in accordance with domestic and international laws, and the on-site operations were professional, restrained and standardized.

What I want to emphasize is that Xianbin Reef is part of China’s Nansha Islands, an inherent territory of China, and an uninhabited island. The Philippines sent a coast guard ship to invade the waters of Xian Bin Reef in an attempt to replenish the Philippine coast guard ship stranded in the Xian Bin Reef lagoon and seek to achieve a long-term presence. The Philippines' move seriously violated China's sovereignty, seriously violated the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and seriously jeopardized peace and stability in the South China Sea. China firmly opposes this and will continue to take resolute and forceful measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and the seriousness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Bloomberg reporter asked: Does this collision indicate that although China and the Philippines reached relevant temporary arrangements last month, the maritime situation between China and the Philippines remains tense?

Mao Ning: China has always been committed to properly handling the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines through dialogue and consultation. We hope that the Philippines can keep its commitments, earnestly abide by the consensus and arrangements reached with China, refrain from taking actions that complicate the situation, and work with China to jointly manage and control the maritime situation.

[Source: WeChat of the Spokesperson’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs]