Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang Photo: Chinese Defense Ministry

The Philippine side repeatedly organized its coast guard vessels and fishing boats to violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, while playing victim to elicit sympathy and cause confusion in the international community. This will never work, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Thursday. 

According to media reports, the Philippine Defense Minister recently said that if the Chinese side hopes to decelerate tensions and stabilize the region, it should withdraw its "illegal presence" from the "exclusive economic zone" of the Philippines. The spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard said that the giant vessels of China's Coast Guard attacked the small vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard, and that these acts of intimidation and spreading of misinformation aim at hindering the activities of the Philippine fishermen.

Zhang said that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters. The maritime disputes between China and the Philippines have nothing to do with the size of countries. Rather, it is the merits of fact that matter. 

We urge the Philippine side to change course, and return to the right track of resolving issues through negotiation and consultation, said Zhang. 

Global Times