China asks PH to stop acts of provocation at Panatag

Scarborough Shoal

MANILA, Philippines—China on Friday asked the Philippines to respect Chinese  sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal  and show its “sincerity” by engaging Beijing in substantive talks to resolve the seven-week standoff in the disputed area west of Zambales province.

It also renewed its call for the Philippines to cease all “provocative actions” in the area, which Manila refers to as Panatag Shoal.

“We urge the Philippine side once again to respect China’s territorial sovereignty and stop all provocations, demonstrate sincerity and engage in serious and substantive diplomatic dialogue with the Chinese side,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said in a statement e-mailed by the Chinese embassy in Manila.

Hong’s statement was in reaction to the Philippines’ latest diplomatic note—the seventh since the standoff began on April 8—protesting against the increase in the number of Chinese vessels in the shoal.

Diplomatic consultations

The Philippines has demanded that China withdraw its vessels and refrain from actions that would exacerbate the situation in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to comment on the latest Chinese statement but its spokesperson, Raul Hernandez, earlier said the Philippines was “exerting efforts to defuse tensions in the area.”

Hong reiterated that Huangyan Island—the name China uses for the shoal—was an inherent part of Chinese territory and claimed “provocative” Philippine actions had prompted China to beef up its presence in the area.

Public service ships

“The current incident has been provoked by the Philippine side that sent a warship to harass the Chinese fishermen with force,” Hong claimed.

“China has been trying to resolve the current standoff through diplomatic consultations,” he stressed.

But Hong claimed provocative Philippine moves had  “compelled the Chinese to strengthen vigilance on the site.”

Hong said the ships sent by China to the shoal were government-owned public service ships that provide service to Chinese fishing boats as well as perform guard, management and control duties.