BEIJING, Sept. 25 -- "The Philippine side should immediately stop any provocative acts before it's too late. The Chinese side will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), at a regular press conference on Thursday.
According to reports, the Philippines sent over 10 public vessels to intrude into the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao on September 16. The China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels took regulatory measures in accordance with law and dispelled these Philippine ships. When the CCG used water cannons, the Philippine crews waved white flags.
When being asked to share comment, the spokesperson said that Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory. The unlawful intrusion of Philippine vessels into China's territorial waters of Huangyan Dao seriously violated China's sovereignty, rights and interests, and severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea. "The China Coast Guard took firm countermeasures to drive away the intruding ships, which were legitimate, lawful, professional and restrained," he said.
"Huangyan Dao is beyond the limits of the Philippine territory, which has long been defined by a series of international treaties," said the spokesperson, adding that the Philippine side has repeatedly conducted provocative actions that infringed upon China's sovereignty, and created tensions in the South China Sea. It is a real troublemaker and a saboteur to peace, the spokesperson stressed.
"We warn the Philippine side to immediately stop any provocative acts before it's too late. The Chinese side will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," said the spokesperson.