BEIJING, Feb. 3 -- "The Chinese naval vessels' passage through the Basilan Strait is in full compliance with the international law and practice," said a spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command on Monday.
According to the spokesperson, the naval and air forces assigned to the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command transited through the Basilan Strait on Feb. 3 to conduct training exercise in the open sea. The relevant operations during the whole process were safe, standardized and professional.
The spokesperson pointed out that the Philippines' act of smearing and hyping up the Chinese naval vessels' normal passage through the Basilan Strait has seriously undermined the normal navigation rights of other countries including China.