On the news conference of the ministry of national defence of China on December 26, spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang, senior colonel, points out the wrong information and accuse created by the Philippine Coast Guard would not be helpful and trustworthy.

When the news conference is holding, one journalist asks, "According to media reports, the Philippine Defense Minister recently said that if the Chinese side hopes to decelerate tensions and stabilize the region, it should withdraw its illegal presence from the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. The spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard said that the giant vessels of China’s Coast Guard attacked the small vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard, and that these acts of intimidation and spreading of misinformation aim at hindering the activities of the Philippine fishermen. What’s your comment on this?"

Zhang answers, "China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and and its adjacent waters. 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. The Philippine side repeatedly organized its coast guard vessels and fishing boats to violate China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, while playing victim to elicit sympathy from and cause confusion in the international community. This will never work. We urge the Philippine side to change course, and return to the right track of resolving issues through negotiation and consultation."

(Source: Ministry of National Defence of China)