Beijing Considers Philippine Ships Creating Tensions In The South China Sea

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China on Monday (11/12/2023) (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said the Philippines was responsible for the creation of tensions in the South China Sea.

"Responsibility for the recent state of emergency in the waters around Ren'ai Jiao is entirely in the hands of the Philippines," Mao Ning said while delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China.

The coral island, known as "Ren'ai Jiao" by China and called "Beting Ayungin" in the Philippines, is part of the disputed Spratly Islands of the two countries. The Spartly Islands is a large archipelago claimed by China and several other Asian countries in the South China Sea.

It is known that on Sunday (10/12), Chinese ships fired water cannons at three Philippine ships to deliver supplies to fishermen at Scarborough Shoal, then a collision occurred between Philippine and Chinese ships in Second Thomas Shoal, where a number of Filipino soldiers have been stationed on warships BRP Sierra Madre as a "floating headquarters" since 1999 for Philippine coast guards even though China has protested this.

"This strongly violates China's sovereignty and endangers the safety of Chinese ships and personnel. The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) has taken the necessary legal action against Philippine ships in accordance with domestic and international law and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a serious demonstration (protes) as a strong protest against the Philippines," MaoNing said.

Mao Ning then emphasized that Ren'ai Jiao is part of Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands) as part of China.

"China has undisputed sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao, and its surrounding waters. This happened in a long history journey and was consistent with international law including the UN Charter," said Mao Ning.

The root of the tension problem in these waters, according to Mao Ning, is the Philippines which has broken its promise and refused to illegally ship the warship placed on the reef and sought to strengthen it on a larger scale in order to permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao.

"China firmly opposes the Philippines' efforts to occupy Ren'ai Jiao and has confirmed this stance on various occasions. We also demand that the Philippines not send construction materials to the warship," said Mao Ning.

Mao Ning said the Philippines also violated international law and the provisions of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) as well as territorial sovereignty as well as China's maritime rights and interests.

"We once again urge the Philippines to stop violating China's sovereignty and take provocative actions, stop attacking and vilifying China baselessly, and avoid undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Mao Ning.

The Chinese government, according to Mao Ning, has been working to improve communication with the Philippines to deal with this situation well.

"We have also submitted a proposal to manage and control the situation in Ren'ai Jiao. The ball is now on the Philippine side. We hope that the Philippines will address the root of this problem, stop provoking and cause problems, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Mao Ning.

Regarding the United States Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking China to stop its dangerous actions and disrupt stability at sea, Mao Ning said that maritime disputes between China and the Philippines were a problem between China and the Philippines.

"Any third party has no right to interfere in this matter. On the one hand, the US has been conspiring for some time, strengthening and supporting violations and provocations of the Philippines in the South China Sea. But on the other hand, the US has sparked disputes, misinterpreted facts, sparked confrontation, and undermined regional peace and stability," explained Mao Ning.

Mao Ning emphasized that China will continue to take the necessary steps in accordance with internal and international law to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Earlier on December 6, 2023, the Philippine parliament adopted a resolution No. 1494 which declared parliament to condemn China's "illegal acts" in the West Philippine Sea in the form of China's attack on Filipino fishermen and security forces patrolling the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The decision was taken in reference to the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration which according to the Philippine parliament gives the Philippines the right to the West Philippine Sea based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).