China says Philippines' cyanide claim lacks credibility

China said on Monday that Philippine allegations over a so-called cyanide incident near Ren'ai Reef were not credible, after Manila said laboratory analysis had confirmed cyanide in samples recovered from Chinese vessels near the reef.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked about a Philippine National Security Council briefing that said laboratory analysis had found cyanide in samples recovered this February near Ren'ai Reef, as well as in samples from October 2025.

Guo said the Philippine side had illegally harassed Chinese fishing boats engaged in normal fishing operations, seized supplies belonging to Chinese fishermen, and staged what he described as a so-called cyanide farce.

The Philippine side's claims are utterly unconvincing and not worth refuting, he said.

Guo reiterated that Ren'ai Reef is part of China's Nansha Islands, which are Chinese territory. He added that the illegal grounding of a Philippine vessel at Ren'ai Reef has seriously damaged the reef's ecological environment, a fact that had been confirmed by relevant reports.