BEIJING, Dec. 13 -- "China's position is clear and consistent: More provocations lead to stronger countermeasures; Should the Philippine side stubbornly follow the wrong path, China will never back down," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian when answering media inquiries on Friday.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese side recently took "aggressive actions" towards the Philippine fishing boats heading towards Houteng Jiao. It is also reported that several Philippine government vessels were stopped while trying to intrude into Huangyan Dao. The commander of the Philippine Navy said that they had formulated "Gray Zone" tactics to cope with the activities of Chinese boats operating in the South China Sea.
When being asked to share comment on these, the Chinese defense spokesperson stated that the Philippine side, with the US support and solicitation, has been stirring up troubles on many spots in the South China Sea. From Ren’ai Jiao to Xianbin Jiao and from Houteng Jiao to Huangyan Dao, such repeated provocations have allowed the international community to see clearly who is undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and who is fabricating and spreading lies.
"Wherever they go, whether transiting or resupplying, the Philippine ship's deck is always full of reporters. The real issue, however, is never about who has more reporters, but who has more legitimacy," said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson also pointed out that the territories of the Philippines are defined by a series of international treaties, which do not include the Nansha Islands and Huangyan Dao. The Philippine side knows this fact very well.