US, Philippines warned over South China Sea

...Who breaks international law and endangers the peace and stability in the South China Sea? The fact and truth is crystal clear.

CHINA urges the United States to refrain from using the Philippines as a pawn to destabilize the South China Sea. The Philippines also needs to refrain from being manipulated by the US, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said yesterday.

Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily news briefing when answering a query on the inappropriate remarks made by the US side concerning the recent collision between Chinese and Philippine boats in the South China Sea.

Mao noted that Ren’ai Jiao is part of China’s Nansha Qundao. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Ren’ai Jiao. This is established in the long course of history, and complies with international law, including the United Nations Charter.

China Coast Guard took necessary law enforcement measures in accordance with law against the infringement and provocative moves by Philippine vessels at Ren’ai Jiao. The measures are justified, lawful, professional, restrained, and beyond reproach, she said.

“Who is the trouble-maker making provocation behind

Mao Ning Foreign Ministry spokesperson

this incident? Who breaks international law and endangers the peace and stability in the South China Sea? The fact and truth is crystal clear,” Mao said.

The US Department of State which disregards the fact and confuses right with wrong has made baseless attacks against China’s legitimate and lawful actions to safeguard its rights. The US has arbitrarily threatened China by resorting to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to embolden the Philippines and endorse its acts of infringement and provocation. China firmly opposes it, Mao added.

The so-called arbitral award on the South China Sea arbitration that the Philippines and a handful of countries regard as a benchmark goes against international law including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and it is completely illegal, null and void, Mao stated.

Ren’ai Jiao is a bilateral issue between China and the Philippines. The US or any third party should not exploit the issue to sow discord, still less make interventions. China has unwavering determination and will in safeguarding its legitimate rights. The Philippines’ attempt of making infringements and provocations will not succeed, the spokesperson stressed.

Mao urged Washington to refrain from using the Philippines as a pawn to destabilize the South China Sea.

“The Philippines also needs to refrain from being manipulated by the US. Lessons from history tell us that a pawn will only end up being abandoned.”

(Xinhua)