BEIJING, Dec. 26 -- "The maritime disputes between China and the Philippines have nothing to do with the size of countries. Rather, it is the merits of fact that matter," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference on Thursday.
According to the media, the spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard said that the giant vessels of China Coast Guard (CCG) attacked the small vessels from the Philippine side, and that these acts of intimidation was aimed at hindering the activities of the Philippine fishermen. Meanwhile, the Philippine defense minister recently remarked that if the Chinese side hopes to decelerate tensions and stabilize the region, it should withdraw "the illegal presence from the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines".
Regarding to these words, Spokesperson Zhang made it clear that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters. He added that the Philippine side repeatedly organized its coast guard vessels and fishing boats to violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, which undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea. The attempt to play victim to elicit sympathy from international community and cause confusion will never work.
The spokesperson also urged the Philippine side to change course, and return to the right track of resolving issues through negotiation and consultation in the end.