The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday deplored and rejected the U.S. attempt to endorse the Philippines' acts during a recent incident in the South China Sea.

Two civil vessels and two coast guard vessels of the Philippines intruded the waters of Ren'ai Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao on Sunday without China's permission.

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China urges Philippines to stop making provocations on Ren'ai Jiao issue: MOFA

The U.S. Department of State issued a statement Sunday saying that China Coast Guard and maritime militia adopted "dangerous and unlawful actions obstructing a Philippine resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal," which is "a feature well within the Philippine exclusive economic zone and on the Philippine continental shelf." The U.S. statement also said that a 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea made it clear that "there exists no legal basis for any entitlement by China to maritime zones in the area of Second Thomas Shoal."

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Monday noted that the U.S. State Department's statement goes against the spirit of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"In disregard of facts, it made baseless attacks against China's legitimate and lawful law enforcement activities to safeguard our rights at Ren'ai Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao," Mao noted.

It's a sinister attempt to endorse the Philippines' acts of infringement and provocation, she added.

Mao made it clear that the so-called South China Sea arbitration award is illegal, null and void. "It is pointless for the U.S. to keep trying to make an issue out of this illegal award." 

She also pointed out that the Philippines' infringement and provocation at Ren'ai Jiao have been emboldened and supported by Washington's connivance and support.

Since the beginning of the year, the U.S. has been blatantly emboldening the Philippines' acts of infringing upon China's sovereignty and inciting and supporting attempts by Manila to repair and reinforce its warship that was deliberately "grounded" on Ren'ai Jiao, the Chinese spokesperson said, adding the U.S. even sent over military aircraft and vessels to assist and support the Philippines, and repeatedly sought to threaten China by citing the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

Mao reiterated that Ren'ai Jiao is a bilateral issue between China and the Philippines, and the U.S. has no place in it.

(Cover: A Chinese coast guard ship and a Philippine coast guard ship in the South China Sea, October 4, 2023. /CFP)