Vessels of the China Coast Guard conduct law enforcement exercises in an undisclosed area in Autumn 2022. Photo: Screenshot from WeChat account of China Coast Guard

The China Coast Guard (CCG) stated on Monday that it had taken necessary management and control measures against Philippine vessels that recently illegally gathered in the waters of Houteng Jiao in Nansha Qundao of China under the pretext of fishing. On the same day, the Chinese Foreign Ministry refuted claims from the Philippine side that a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter “harassed” the Philippine fishing boats.

Recently, several Philippine vessels, disregarding dissuasion and warnings of China Coast Guard (CCG), illegally gathered in the waters of Houteng Jiao in Nansha Qundao of China under the pretext of fishing, and brought along media reporters for a staged photo op to hype it. The CCG took necessary management and control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law and regulations, said CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun in a statement on Monday.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including Houteng Jiao and the surrounding waters. We warn the Philippine side to immediately cease its provocative actions, stop distorting the facts, and refrain from inciting and sensationalizing the issue, Liu said.

The CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law, resolutely safeguarding national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the spokesperson said.

Liu’s remarks came after Commodore Jay Tarriela, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson, claimed in a statement on Monday that the PCG recently received video footage and photographs from a fishing boat which captured the “harassment of Filipino fishing vessels” by a Chinese PLA Navy helicopter in Rozul Reef (China’s Houteng Jiao), Philippine media outlet the Inquirer reported on Monday.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in a regular press briefing on Monday that the Philippines’ claim is not factual.

China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and the adjacent waters. It is legitimate and lawful for China to carry out law enforcement activities in relevant waters to uphold sovereignty, Lin said.

Global Times