CCTV news: Jiang Bin, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, responded to a reporter’s question on the Philippine Ministry of Defense’s hype about the Xianbin Reef water cannon incident.
Reporter: On December 16, the Philippine Secretary of Defense issued a statement on a social media platform, falsely claiming that China’s maritime control forces had adopted “dangerous and inhumane” behavior against Philippine fishermen in the waters near Xianbin Reef, and denying that Philippine fishermen threatened the Chinese Coast Guard with knives. What is China’s comment on this?
Jiang Bin: China has undisputed sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Xianbin Reef, and its adjacent waters. This has sufficient historical and legal basis. The Philippines organized and premeditated a large number of ships to illegally invade the Xianbin Reef Lagoon. Philippine personnel even threatened the Chinese Coast Guard who were enforcing the law with knives. This was arrogant and bad in nature. China takes necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, acting reasonably, lawfully, and with professional restraint. In the face of the truth, some people in the Philippines opened their eyes and told lies, denying their infringement and provocations, and even bitten back at China. They are completely confusing right and wrong, and calling the thief to catch the thief.
For some time, the Philippines has frequently caused troubles at sea, repeatedly staged farces written and directed by itself, and deliberately tried to smear and accuse China, disrupting the situation in the South China Sea and undermining regional stability. We hereby tell the Philippines that peddling porcelain and promoting propaganda will not change the nature of the Philippines' illegal infringement, mislead the international community's understanding, and shake China's determination to safeguard rights in accordance with the law. China will continue to take strong and effective measures to resolutely respond to all violations and provocations.
