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ministry of national defense: the philippines should immediately withdraw its ships and personnel from xianbin reef

Ministry of National Defense: The Philippine Side Should Immediately Withdraw its Ship and Personnel from Xianbin Jiao

on the afternoon of august 29, the ministry of national defense held a regular press conference, and senior colonel wu qian, director of the information bureau of the ministry of national defense and spokesman of the ministry of national defense, answered questions from reporters.

reporter:it is reported that a philippine coast guard ship has been stranded in the chinese xianbin reef lagoon recently. when the philippines sent ships to transport supplies to it several times not long ago, the chinese coast guard ship intercepted it according to law. the spokesman of the philippine armed forces said that china's actions endangered the personal safety of the philippines and violated international law. the us side stated that the us-philippines mutual defense treaty applies to armed attacks on philippine troops, public ships and aircraft anywhere in the south china sea. what comments does the spokesperson have?

Question: It’s reported that a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship has been anchoring in the lagoon of China’s Xianbin Jiao for a period of time. Not long ago, the Philippines sent multiple resupply missions, which were all thwarted by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in accordance with law. The spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that the maneuvers of the Chinese side jeopardized the safety of Philippine crew members and violated international law. The US side claimed that the Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft anywhere in the South China Sea. What’s your comment?

wu qian:china has indisputable sovereignty over the nansha islands, including xianbin reef, and its adjacent waters. since april this year, the philippine coast guard ship 9701 has entered the xianbin reef lagoon without authorization and illegally stayed there for a long time, seriously infringing on china's sovereignty, seriously violating international law and the provisions of the declaration on the conduct of parties in the south china sea, and seriously endangering regional peace and stability. china firmly opposes and has made solemn representations on many occasions. the philippines' attempt to achieve a long-term presence in xianbin reef has opened the "pandora's box" that worsens the situation in the south china sea, and has been strongly opposed by regional countries.

Wu Qian: China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Xianbin Jiao. Since its intrusion this April, PCG vessel 9701 has illegally anchored in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao. Such an act seriously violates China’s sovereignty, breaches international law and the stipulations of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and undermines regional peace and stability. The Chinese side firmly opposes to such activities and has lodged solemn representations multiple times. Seeking permanent presence at Xianbin Jiao by the Philippine side is no different from opening a Pandora’s Box, which has aroused strong opposition from regional countries.

since august 19, the philippines has repeatedly sent coast guard ships to attempt to break into the xianbin reef and deliberately collide with chinese law enforcement ships in a dangerous manner. china has taken necessary measures in accordance with laws and regulations, and the on-site operations are professional and standardized. china is committed to properly managing differences through dialogue and consultation, but patience is limited. the philippines should immediately take action to withdraw ships and personnel from the xianbin reef and restore the reef to its current state of being unmanned and without facilities. china will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its territorial and maritime rights and interests.

Since August 19, PCG ships have repeatedly intruded into adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao, and deliberately took dangerous maneuvers to ram CCG vessels. The Chinese side took necessary measures in accordance with law. Our maneuvers on the spot were professional and appropriate. The Chinese side is committed to properly managing differences through dialogue and consultations, but our tolerance does have a limit. The Philippine side should withdraw its ship and personnel as soon as possible, and restore the unoccupied status of Xianbin Jiao with no infrastructure. The Chinese side will continue to take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests.

the united states is the biggest black hand stirring up the situation in the south china sea and the biggest destroyer of peace and stability in the south china sea. it is the instigation and support of the united states that has made the philippines fearless and repeatedly provoked. the united states' attempt to scare china with the "us-philippines mutual defense treaty" is completely futile and will only arouse greater indignation and fighting spirit among the chinese people.

No country surpasses the US in stirring up trouble or disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea. US support and endorsement has emboldened the Philippine side in making reckless provocations time and again. Intimidating the Chinese side with the Mutual Defense Treaty will never work. On the contrary, it will only result in stronger indignation and greater morale among the Chinese people.

poster by: chen lei, wu mingqi

editor-in-charge: wu mingqi

source: china military network