China summons Philippine ambassador over provocation at Renai Reef

The head of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry urgently summoned the Philippine ambassador to China on Tuesday and lodged solemn representations over the Philippines' deliberate provocation at Renai Reef and its attack on China Coast Guard law enforcement personnel, according to a statement released on the ministry's website.

The Chinese side stressed that Renai Reef is part of China's Nansha Islands and is Chinese territory, and that law enforcement operations conducted by the China Coast Guard in the waters near Renai Reef are justified and lawful, the Foreign Ministry said.

The Philippine military vessel illegally grounded at Renai Reef deployed two rubber boats which dangerously approached and rammed China Coast Guard vessels. Philippine personnel also maliciously harassed and attacked Chinese law enforcement personnel, endangering their safety, the statement said.

The ministry described the acts as egregious, noting that the Philippines initiated the provocation, but then sought to shift the blame onto China, distorted the facts, and maliciously hyped up the incident.

China expressed strong dissatisfaction and lodged a stern protest, demanding that the Philippines immediately stop making provocations and stirring up trouble with inflammatory publicity and hype, according to the ministry.

China will take measures to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the statement said.