China urged the Philippines to avoid undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea.
In remarks on the Renai Jiao Issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that recently the Philippines has taken a series of steps at Renai Jiao that seriously violate China’s territorial sovereignty, pointing out that Beijing have made serious demarches to the Philippines on multiple occasions.
He said that China once again urges the Philippines to take seriously China’s concerns, stop making provocations and creating troubles at sea, and stop groundless attacks and smears, so as to avoid undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea and harming the common interests of countries in the region, according to China’s News Agency (Xinhua).
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson stressed that Renai Jiao has been China’s territory since ancient times, adding that it is an integral part of China’s Nansha Qundao geographically, economically, politically and historically.
Renai Jiao has never been th
e Philippines’ territory, he said and that the Philippines has no legal basis at all to claim sovereignty over Renai Jiao. He stated that the so-called South China Sea arbitration award is illegal, null and void, stressing that by “grounding” a military vessel at Renai Jiao, the Philippines gravely violated China’s territorial sovereignty. China cannot accept the Philippines; acts, he said adding that the Philippines has the responsibility to tow away the “grounded” military vessel.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson pointed out that China will continue to, in accordance with our domestic laws and international law, do what is necessary to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Source: Qatar News Agency