LINE

    Text:AAAPrint
    Military

    No 'blind eye' to Philippine provocations

    2023-12-29 08:48:08China Daily Editor : Mo Honge ECNS App Download

    Ren'ai Reef (File photo/chinanews.com.cn)

    Ministry rejects Manila's claims on Ren'ai Reef, calls its actions dangerous

    China "will not turn a blind eye" to the Philippines' repeated provocations and harassment in the South China Sea, although the nation is always committed to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense said.

    Wu Qian, the spokesman, made the remarks on Thursday at a news conference in Beijing, rejecting the groundless accusations made by the Philippines regarding China's Ren'ai Reef.

    Several Philippine officials have recently claimed that China Coast Guard vessels used water cannons to attack Philippine ships near the reef and rammed at least one of them, triggering regional tensions.

    In addition, the Philippine side has accused China of using a "long-range acoustic device" and a laser weapon to attack crew members on Philippine ships.

    Calling these allegations completely false, Wu said the Philippine side, in disregard of repeated warnings from the Chinese side, insisted on sending vessels to intrude into the adjacent waters of China's Ren'ai Reef and provocatively rammed a China Coast Guard vessel.

    "Such behavior is very dangerous and extremely unprofessional," Wu said, emphasizing that China Coast Guard took necessary law enforcement measures, which were totally justified and legitimate.

    He said that although the Philippines claimed it was transporting humanitarian supplies to its grounded warship near the reef, those Philippine resupply vessels actually carried journalists, who propagated plenty of disinformation. "In my view, it was not a humanitarian mission at all, but playacting in the name of humanitarian aid."

    Wu said the Philippines' allegation that China used so-called sonic and laser weapons is entirely groundless, adding that China has no intention or need of using such devices.

    "China is always committed to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation and making joint efforts to maintain maritime stability, but we will not turn a blind eye to the Philippines' repeated provocations and harassment," he said.

    The spokesman also rejected as unfounded the accusations made by the United States regarding China's actions in the South China Sea, and demanded that the US immediately cease meddling in South China Sea affairs.

    Recently, the US Department of Defense said the US and Philippine military are maintaining close consultation, reaffirming the US' "ironclad" commitment to upholding its obligations under its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.

    Wu said that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Ren'ai Reef, and their adjacent waters. He pointed out that the US, to serve its own interests, encourages and provokes the Philippines to infringe upon China's rights and interests, while attempting to coerce China by using the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

    "The issue of Ren'ai Reef is a matter between China and the Philippines, with no involvement of any third party," he said. "We urge the US to stop inciting and supporting the Philippines' provocative actions, and to take practical actions to uphold regional peace and stability."

    Responding to a question on the recent video call between the chiefs of staff of China and US militaries, the spokesman said it has yielded "positive and constructive outcomes".

    Last week, General Liu Zhenli, chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, held a video call with General Charles Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US military.

    "The two sides exchanged candid and in-depth views on implementing the important military-related consensus reached between the two heads of state in San Francisco, and on other issues of common interest," Wu said. "Going forward, we expect the US side to work with us in the same direction and take concrete actions on the basis of equality and respect, in order to promote the sound and steady development of China-US military ties."

    Wu also slammed the comments made by the defense authorities of the Taiwan region, who recently claimed that during the Taiwan regional leader election next year, the Taiwan military will remain on high alert, and closely observe the dynamics of the People's Liberation Army.

    Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities have deliberately hyped up the so-called mainland military threat and played up tensions for the sake of seeking electoral benefits, Wu said, noting that "the PLA is in control of all dynamics of the Taiwan military".

    "We will, as always, take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

    Related news

    MorePhoto

    Most popular in 24h

    MoreTop news

    MoreVideo

    LINE
    Back to top About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
    Copyright ©1999-2023 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
    Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
    [網上傳播視聽節目許可證(0106168)] [京ICP證040655號]
    [京公網安備 11010202009201號] [京ICP備05004340號-1]
    主站蜘蛛池模板: 大连市| 正蓝旗| 安宁市| 连州市| 敖汉旗| 太白县| 石河子市| 上犹县| 平果县| 莱西市| 辰溪县| 宜良县| 旬邑县| 夹江县| 博客| 西昌市| 应城市| 华宁县| 五华县| 玛沁县| 鹿邑县| 龙口市| 宜兰县| 盐亭县| 龙南县| 虹口区| 香格里拉县| 灌南县| 陆良县| 磴口县| 安义县| 班玛县| 当涂县| 阿瓦提县| 托克逊县| 萝北县| 奉新县| 浏阳市| 清新县| 湖南省| 灌阳县|