China accuses PH of trespassing in Ayungin Shoal

Philippine supply vessel Unaizah May 4 en route to Ayungin Shoal for a rotation and resupply mission was water cannoned by a China Coast Guard vessel around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.(Screengrab from Armed Forces of the Philippines video posted on Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in Manila insisted on Monday its claim on the West Philippine Sea, alleging that the Philippines is “trespassing” into the waters of Ayungin Shoal, which it refers to as Ren’ai Jiao. 

“On March 25, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines lodged representations with the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines over the recent illegal trespassing by Philippine resupply vessels into waters adjacent to Ren’ai Jiao (Ayungin Shoal),” said the embassy. 

The embassy claimed that the Philippines “[violated] its own words and [disregarded] China’s strong opposition communicated clearly to the Philippine side.”

China’s water cannon attack caused heavy damage to Philippine supply vessel Unaizah May 4 (UM4) while it was carrying out its mission of resupplying Philippine troops stationed at the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.

The aggression likewise caused injury to some crew members of UM4. 

Despite the damage that their action has resulted in, China insisted that the China Coast Guard “has implemented lawful regulation, interception, and expulsion in a reasonable and professional manner.”

“China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Ren’ai Jiao, and their adjacent waters. China’s sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea are established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law. The so-called 2016 arbitration award is illegal, null and void,” said the embassy.

“China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award. China remains committed to resolute measures in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. China urges the Philippines to immediately stop infringement and provocation and return to the right track of dialogue and consultation in real earnest to find a proper way to manage the situation so as to jointly preserve the peace and stability in the South China Sea,” it added. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on the other hand, earlier confirmed that it summoned the Chinese Embassy’s Charge d’affaires and protested against China’s aggressive actions during the Philippine’s resupply mission.

During the meeting, the DFA made it clear that “China has no right to be in Ayungin Shoal” and that its “continued interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable.”