No such situation of China harassing PH, Chinese official claims

PHOTO SHOWS OTHERWISE Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning claims no such situation that China harassed the Philippines but this file photo shows otherwise. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea says the water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on December 9, 2023, caused “significant damage” to the Datu Bankaw (left). It condemned the CCG’s action as “not as only illegal but also inhumane” for it was directed at a humanitarian mission. —Screen grab from Philippine Coast Guard video

MANILA, Philippines — Despite its continued aggression and incursion in the West Philippine Sea, the Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed on Monday evening that in no such situation China harassed the Philippines.

In a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning blamed the Philippines solely for all maritime developments in the South China Sea.

“China’s position on the issue of the South China Sea is consistent and clear. The reason behind the recent maritime developments is that the Philippines has frequently made provocative moves in the South China Sea, infringing on China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” said Mao.

“China has taken necessary measures in accordance with law to defend its own sovereignty, rights and interests. There is no such situation of China harassing the Philippines,” she added.

Mao’s remarks came after Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo delivered a simple message to China: Stop harassing us.

“But our simple explanation is if you would stop harassing us and, and perhaps performing other actions, there wouldn’t be any news to report,” said Manalo speaking at the sidelines of an ASEAN-Australia summit in Melbourne.

“The Philippines is committed to a peaceful resolution of disputes through diplomatic means, or peaceful means,” he added.

China’s claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippines Sea, has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal.

In 2013, the Philippines challenged China’s assertions before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.  It ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines in 2016.

Despite this ruling, Chinese maritime assets continue to swarm and assert aggression in the territory.