BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) — China calls on the Philippines to immediately stop interference and provocations in Huangyan Dao, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
Spokesman Lin Jian also said that China will continue to act resolutely in accordance with the law to firmly protect its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Lin made the remarks when asked to comment on the recent unjustified remarks made by Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner regarding China’s Huangyan Dao.
Lin pointed out that Huangyan Dao has always been Chinese territory and China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent airspace and waters.
On August 7 and 8, Philippine military aircraft twice entered the adjacent airspace of Huangyan Dao, which constituted a serious violation of China’s sovereignty and a breach of international law and basic norms of international relations, Lin said.
The Chinese military subsequently took necessary and lawful measures and its maneuvers on the ground were professional and in line with Chinese and international law, Lin said.
“Considering that the Philippines sent military aircraft into Huangyan Dao airspace during a joint patrol with the United States, Australia and Canada in the South China Sea, what they did with their aircraft was clearly a deliberate provocation,” Lin noted.
China calls on the Philippines to immediately stop the interference and provocations in Huangyan Dao, Lin said, adding that such wanton acts must end.
China will continue to act resolutely in accordance with the law to firmly protect its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Lin said. ■
