BEIJING, June 14 -- "The Philippines is undoubtedly the one that undermines peace and creates instability. The Chinese side remains highly vigilant and will continue to take all necessary countermeasures against the Philippines' dangerous, escalatory behaviors," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang at a regular press briefing on Friday.
It is reported that the Philippine side denied the accusation of its soldiers pointing guns at Chinese coast guard ships, claiming that the personnel onboard the landing ship BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) were just holding weapons in hand for self-defense. Moreover, Manila claimed that there were small-scale sea reclamation activities on Xianbin Jiao, and the PLA had recently sent an air-cushion craft and an aircraft to conduct exercises in the waters around Xianbin Jiao.
When being asked to comment on such remarks, the spokesperson replied that the Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao and Xianbin Jiao, is China's inherent territory. It's legitimate and reasonable for the Chinese side to carry out law enforcement activities in waters under its jurisdiction. The Chinese side has made clear its principled position on this multiple times.
"In fact, it is the Philippine side that broke its promises, played with fire and made provocations to escalate tension. It even cooked up and spread disinformation about Xianbin Jiao in an attempt to cover up its infringements and provocations. Such behavior is like a thief crying "stop thief" and fully shows that the Philippine side is undoubtedly the one that undermines peace and creates instability," said the spokesperson.