An aerial drone photo taken on May 13, 2024 shows the vessel "China Coast Guard (CCG) 3502" carrying out replenishment for other vessels in the South China Sea. The CCG conducted a regular training during operations of rights protection and law enforcement in the waters of Huangyan Dao.(Photo: Xinhua)

On the South China Sea issue, China has exercised enough restraint in the face of infringements and provocations, but there is a limit, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said on Sunday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Dong’s remarks came amid rising tensions in the South China Sea dating back to August 2023, when the Philippines started to trespass into waters off Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, including Ren’ai Jiao (also known as Ren’ai Reef) and Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) under the instigation of the US.

Those provocations were dealt with by the China Coast Guard (CCG) through legitimate, professional and restraint restrictive measures.

Dong said that the current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable, thanks to the joint efforts by countries within the region.

However, a certain country, emboldened by external forces, has broken bilateral agreements and its own promises, and even ignored the overall interests of all countries in the region by allowing external forces to deploy mid-range missile system in the region, Dong said, noting that this act will endanger the security and stability in the region, and will eventually backfire.

“We hope a certain country could see where its true interests lie, return to the right track of dialogue and consultation, and work with other countries in the region to make the South China a Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation,” Dong said.

Global Times