In recent days, public vessels of the Philippine side illegally intruded into waters adjacent to islands and reefs of China’s Nansha Qundao. A Philippine ship bumped into a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel after approaching the Chinese ship in a dangerous manner. The Philippines’ Defense Secretary claimed that the Philippine side had sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and Nansha Qundao.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) was asked to comment about this.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) has responded to the incident and released video clips of the friction. The fact is crystal clear, and the Philippine side has no ground to justify or deny its intrusion, provocations and wrongdoings. As we all know, the scope of Philippine territories has been defined by a series of international treaties. China’s Huangyan Dao and Nansha Qundao are not within its scope. The Philippines’ Defense Secretary deliberately distorted historical and legal facts to justify infringements and provocations of the Philippine side. It is totally groundless and will not work, said Zhang Xiaogang.

We urge the Philippine side to give up unrealistic illusions, and stop putting on self-staged farces at sea or orchestrating propaganda. The Chinese side will continue to take resolute measures to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Zhang stressed.

(Source: Ministry of National Defense of China)