Ren'ai Reef. [File photo/chinanews.com.cn]
The China Coast Guard expelled a Philippine supply ship that forcefully intruded into Ren'ai Reef in the South China Sea on Saturday morning, a spokesperson said on Saturday.
The CCG spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement that, just 18 days after the last round of resupplies, the Philippines broke its pledge to respect China's territorial waters and again dispatched two coast guard ships and one supply vessel to infringe into the waters near China's Ren'ai Reef, attempting to carry out "abnormal resupply operations and transport construction materials" to its military ship that grounded in the Reef.
He said that the Philippine side seized the opportunity to infringe on China's rights, provoke, and intentionally destroy the peace and stability of the South China Sea.
"At the scene, the Philippine supply ship disregarded the Chinese side's repeated dissuasion, warnings, and navigation control, and still forcefully intruded," Gan said.
He noted that, in response, the China Coast Guard implemented interception, obstruction, and expulsion following laws and regulations, handling the situation in a "reasonable, lawful, professional, and standardized manner".
"We warn the Philippine side: those who play with fire will only humiliate themselves," the spokesperson said.
"The China Coast Guard is always on high alert, resolutely safeguarding national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."