China Accuses Philippines of Illegal Intrusion in South China Sea, Blames Manilafor Collision
BEIJING, August 25, 2024 – China has accused the Philippines of illegally intruding into waters near the South China Sea’s Fiery Cross Reef, blaming Manila fora collision between a Philippine vessel and a Chinese coast guard ship.
The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) issued a statement on Friday, claiming that the Philippine vessel, BRP 3002, ignored repeated warnings and deliberately rammed the CCG 21551 vessel, resulting in a minor collision. The CCG spokesperson, Gan Yu, stated that the Philippines bears full responsibilityfor the incident.
On August 25, despite repeated dissuasion and warnings from China, the Philippines deliberately sent its BRP 3002 vessel to illegally intrude into the waters near the Fiery Cross Reef inChina’s Nansha Islands, engaging in provocative actions, Gan Yu said. The Philippine vessel disregarded multiple serious warnings from China, intentionally approaching dangerously and deliberately colliding with the CCG 21551 vessel, leading to a collision. The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side.
The CCG spokespersonalso alleged that the Philippine vessel was accompanied by media personnel who were filming the incident, aiming to distort the truth and create sensationalism. The CCG, however, maintained that its actions were professional, lawful, and necessary to monitor and deter the Philippine vessel.
The Philippine vessel involved in the incident was also carryingmedia reporters for filming, distorting facts and creating hype, Gan Yu said. The Chinese Coast Guard has been monitoring and controlling the Philippine vessel throughout the incident, resolutely intercepting and driving it away. The on-site operations were professional, standardized, and legitimate.
China further condemned the Philippines’ recent actions asextremely egregious, accusing Manila of severely violating Chinese territorial sovereignty, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and undermining regional peace and stability.
Recently, the Philippines has repeatedly engaged in provocative actions, which are extremely egregious, Gan Yu said. These actions seriously infringe upon China’s territorial sovereignty, severely violate the DOC, and severely damage regional peace and stability. We urge the Philippines to immediately cease its infringement and provocative actions, as well as its smear campaign. Otherwise, the Philippines will bear full responsibility for any consequences that arise.
China reiterates its claim over the South China Sea,including the Fiery Cross Reef, and asserts its right to conduct law enforcement activities within its claimed jurisdiction.
China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Fiery Cross Reef, and the surrounding waters, Gan Yu said. The Chinese Coast Guard will continue to conduct law enforcement activities in watersunder China’s jurisdiction, resolutely safeguarding national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
The Philippines has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident. However, Manila has consistently maintained its claim over the Spratly Islands, which include the Fiery Cross Reef, based on historical and legal grounds.
This latest incident addsfurther tension to the already strained relations between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea. Both countries have overlapping claims in the strategically important waterway, leading to frequent maritime disputes and confrontations.
The incident also highlights the growing militarization of the South China Sea, with both China and the Philippines increasing their military presence inthe region. The US, a key ally of the Philippines, has also been actively involved in the South China Sea, conducting freedom of navigation operations and providing military assistance to its allies.
The situation in the South China Sea remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation of tensions. The international community is watching closely,urging all parties involved to exercise restraint and resolve their disputes through peaceful means.
【来源】http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2024/08-25/10274508.shtml
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