Disregarding warnings from the Chinese side, a Philippine vessel, the Unaiza May 1, makes an unprofessional and dangerous turn, and intentionally rams into a China Coast Guard ship in waters off China's Ren'ai Reef in the South China Sea on December 10, 2023. Photo: Screenshot from a video clip obtained by the Global Times

China will continue to take resolute measures to deal with any acts of infringement and provocation and firmly safeguard its own territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in accordance with domestic and international laws, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press conference on Monday after one cargo vessel, one official vessel and two coast guard ships of the Philippines, without permission from the Chinese government, intruded into adjacent waters of Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef) in China's Nansha Islands on Sunday in an attempt to send construction materials to the illegally grounded warship at the reef.

In disregard of the warnings of the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, a Philippine vessel went headlong towards Ren'ai Reef's lagoon and dangerously rammed a CCG ship on the scene. This gravely violated China's sovereignty and jeopardized the safety of the Chinese ships and personnel, Mao said. 

Video clips obtained by the Global Times taken from the Chinese side show the moment when the Philippine vessel Unaiza May 1 made an unprofessional and dangerous turn, then intentionally rammed into the CCG ship 21556, resulting in a minor collision.

Mao stressed that Ren'ai Reef is part of China's Nansha Qundao, and China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Reef, and their adjacent waters.

The responsibility for the recent emergencies in waters of Ren'ai Reef lies completely with the Philippines. The root cause is that the Philippines has broken its promise and refused to tow away the illegally grounded warship at the reef and attempted to reinforce it on a large scale in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren'ai Reef, the spokesperson said.

China firmly opposes the Philippines' attempt to occupy Ren'ai Reef and has made clear its solemn position to the Philippine side at various levels and through multiple channels, demanding that the Philippines will not send construction materials to the illegally grounded warship for large-scale repair and reinforcement and putting forward proposals for properly managing the situation, Mao said.

However, the Philippine side, in disregard of China's goodwill, good faith and restraint, broke its promise and kept stirring up trouble by infringing on China's sovereignty and making provocative moves in waters of Ren'ai Reef. It has also been spreading disinformation to hype up the incidents. This gravely violates international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and seriously infringes on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Monday met with Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and lodged solemn representations and strong protests over the Philippines' recent infringement and provocations in waters off Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) and Ren'ai Reef.

Huangyan Island and Ren'ai Reef are inherent Chinese territories, Huang stressed, urging the Philippines to stop its maritime infringement and provocations, meet China halfway in returning to the right track of resolving differences through talks and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea together.

Chen Xiangmiao, director of the world navy research center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that China has exercised overall restraint, but its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights must be defended.

No one should have any doubt about China's full determination and the CCG's capabilities in maritime law enforcement, Chen said.

Mao also slammed the US for inciting and supporting the Philippines' provocations in the South China Sea to achieve Washington's own selfish geopolitical interests, which seriously harmed regional peace and stability.

No third party has the right to interfere in the China-Philippines maritime dispute, which is an issue between the two countries, Mao said.