China invading PH? Nonsense, says envoy
KAWIT, Cavite — Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua dismissed on Tuesday as “nonsense” talk spreading about China invading the Philippines that spread when a Chinese military plane landed in Davao City.
“I’m really puzzled and even surprised that some of the people here [are] taking the landing of Chinese military jets as a kind of military threat to the Philippines,” Zhao told reporters.
He also said some people said the landing of the Chinese plane in Davao City indicated that this might be the “beginning of our invasion.”
“Please allow me to be blunt, it’s nonsense. We have never thought of going to war with our good neighbor, our good friend that is the Philippines,” he said.
The Chinese ambassador said the Chinese government followed protocol set by Manila on foreign military planes landing in the Philippines.
He said the plane went to Davao City to refuel.
“The plane was on its way to New Zealand for a bilateral military exercise,” he said.
“You have your protocols, which allow foreign airplanes over your territory or water or fly over your airspace,” said Zhao.
