Beijing urges Manila to act with caution
A Chinese senior diplomat on Monday said the current China-Philippines relations are "at a crossroads" and urged Manila to act with caution and stop any unilateral actions that may complicate the situation.
Vice-Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong made the remarks in a phone call with his counterpart Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, two days after a supply vessel and two Coast Guard vessels of the Philippines intruded into the adjacent waters of Ren'ai Reef in Nansha Islands, in an attempt to send construction materials to the military vessel illegally grounded at Ren'ai Reef.
It seriously violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and the Philippines' own commitments, Chen said, adding such move also infringes upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and undermines regional peace and stability.
Noting China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Ren'ai Reef and its adjacent waters, Chen said the root cause of escalation of the on-site situation is Manila's reneging on its promises and stirring up trouble.
"China once again urges Manila to earnestly return to the right track of dialogue and negotiation with Beijing to properly resolve differences," Chen said.
"The Philippines should earnestly attach importance to China's concerns and work with China to safeguard the overall interests of bilateral relations and peace and stability in the South China Sea," he added.
He vowed China will continue to take necessary measures in accordance with domestic and international laws to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Chen also expressed China's solemn position on the Philippines' advancement of legislation on the "Maritime Zones Act", which he said further enforces the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea by domestic legislation.
He said the act also includes China's Huangyan Island, most islands and reefs of China's Nansha Islands, and their adjacent waters into the Philippine maritime zone.
"It will intensify and aggravate maritime disputes between the two countries," he warned, urging Manila to immediately stop the legislative process that undermines China's sovereignty.
Related articles
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Russian court on Monday opened the trial of a theater director and a playw2024-05-22New Mexico reaches record settlement over natural gas flaring in the Permian Basin
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has reached a record settlement with a Texas-based company over2024-05-22Deepfake of principal's voice is the latest case of AI being used for harm
The most recent criminal case involving artificial intelligence emerged last week from a Maryland hi2024-05-22Uzbekistan and Japan qualify for men's Olympic soccer by reaching U23 Asian Cup final
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Uzbekistan qualified for men’s Olympic soccer after years of near-misses by reach2024-05-22Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
A 19-year-old British tourist who was subjected to a horrific sex attack in Majorca 'was gang-raped2024-05-221 military horse under observation, another to recover fully, British Army says
LONDON (AP) — One of the military horses that broke away from their trainers and galloped through th2024-05-22
atest comment