China hopes the Philippines can meet China half way and stop unilateral actions, preventing situation from escalating or getting out of control, China's ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said on Tuesday.

Huang made the remarks when meeting with Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa P. Lazaro.

On August 5, in disregard of China's repeated goodwill gestures and sincerity, the Philippines sent two vessels that intruded into the adjacent waters of Ren'ai Jiao and tried to deliver construction materials for overhauling and reinforcing the grounded military vessel.

Under such context, China has to make the necessary response and the on-site operations of China Coast Guard have been in accordance with law, said Huang, adding that the Philippines has repeatedly taken unilateral actions to undermine the existing management status quo in Ren'ai Jiao.

Using hype-up tactics and third-party forces will not help the situation, but only complicate it, Huang noted. He stressed that China has repeatedly suggested to the Philippine side to hold discussions on how to manage the situation of Ren'ai Jiao, which fully reflects China's sincerity.

China is waiting for feedback from the Philippine side, and hopes to start talks as soon as possible, the ambassador added.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday reiterated China's stance and urged the Philippines to remove its grounded warship in Ren'ai Jiao.

Ren'ai Jiao has always been part of China's Nansha Qundao, and the Philippine side's action violated China's sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, the ministry said in a statement.

It stressed that China does not accept any claims or actions based on the South China Sea arbitration, which violates international law and is illegal, null and void.

Noting the two countries have reached important consensus on the management of maritime disputes, the ministry said that China is willing to continue to properly handle maritime issues with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation and jointly maintain the stability of bilateral ties and the maritime situation.

The Philippines grounded a warship near the Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea in 1999, prompting immediate and serious representations from China. The Philippines has repeatedly promised to remove the grounded warship, but till now, not only has the ship not been removed, but there have also been attempts to repair and reinforce it, aiming for permanent occupation of the Ren'ai Jiao.

(Cover: A view of Chinese Embassy in the Philippines. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)

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