China slams UK’s remarks vs Chinese vessels’ ‘escalatory tactics’ in WPS

MANILA, Philippines — China on Thursday condemned the United Kingdom (UK) after the latter gave a statement in response to Chinese escalation against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

“China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the groundless accusation made by the UK, having lodged stern representations with the UK side on this. China’s rights and interests in the South China Sea have been established in the long course of history and have solid historical and legal basis,” said the Chinese Embassy in Manila in a statement.

The UK government, through an unnamed Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson, earlier said it condemns the “unsafe and escalatory tactics” deployed by Chinese vessels against the Philippines on December 9 and 10.

The FCDO spokesperson said the UK opposes any action “which raises tensions, including harassment, unsafe conduct, and intimidation tactics which increase the risk of miscalculation and threaten regional peace and stability.”

The UK government then called on China and the Philippines to adhere to the findings of the 2016 Arbitral proceedings.

China, however, opposed the UK’s stand.

“The UK’s picking on China by making an issue of the award of the South China Sea arbitration, which is illegal, null and void, stirring up trouble and sowing discord, seriously undermine[s] peace and stability in the South China Sea,” said the Chinese Embassy.

In return, China urged the UK to stop “calling white black” in the South China Sea row.

“Implement the 2019 International Court of Justice advisory opinion and relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on the Chagos Archipelago as soon as possible and return Chagos to Mauritius at an early date to complete the decolonization of Mauritius,” the Chinese embassy added.

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