BEIJING, Aug. 28 -- "The Philippines should immediately stop making provocations and infringements and stop hyping up incidents. Otherwise, all consequences arising therefrom should be borne by itself," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.
The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on some reports saying that two small boats released by the Philippines' illegally grounded vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre, approached the China Coast Guard vessels in an unprofessional and dangerous manner. In addition, lots of Chinese vessels gathered in the relevant sea areas. Some of the vessels seemed to be equipped with machine guns. Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines claimed that preparations had been made to resupply the soldiers on the grounded warship.
"China Coast Guard had already responded to such reports. Here I want to emphasize that Ren'ai Jiao, being a part of China's Nansha Qundao, is China's inherent territory. It is justified, lawful and beyond reproach for the Chinese vessels to operate in waters under China's jurisdiction," the spokesperson stressed.
"We warn the Philippine side not to stubbornly follow the wrong path, and immediately stop making provocations and infringements and stop hyping up incidents. Otherwise, all consequences arising therefrom should be borne by itself," the spokesperson added.