China condemns Philippines' actions in South China Sea, calls for end to provocations

The Philippine side's attempt to play the victim cannot change the provocative and illegal nature of its dangerous behaviors in the South China Sea, said a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense.

Senior Colonel Jiang Bin stated at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday afternoon that during a recent patrol by the China Coast Guard vessel CCGS Sanzhouao near the Xianbin Reef of China's Nansha Islands, the Philippine government vessel Magat Salamat conducted dangerous maneuvers to deliberately ram the Chinese vessel.

"Such action seriously threatened the safety of the Chinese crew and vessel and violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations," Jiang said. "Playing victim and peddling false narratives cannot change the provocative and illegal nature of the Philippine side's behaviors. The Chinese side will continue to take effective measures to resolutely safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea."

In response to a request for comment on a news report about the Philippines rallying some countries to conduct a field training exercise near China's Huangyan Island, the spokesman said that the activity was in fact a provocation and propaganda in the name of security cooperation, which would only disrupt regional peace and stability and run counter to the regional consensus of jointly preserving peace and promoting development.

"Huangyan Island is an inherent part of China's territory. China has indisputable sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the island and its adjacent waters. We urge the Philippine side to end this clumsy farce and stop coveting China's territory," he said.