China won't 'turn a blind eye' on Philippines' provocation

China is always committed to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation and making joint efforts to maintain maritime stability, but it will not turn a blind eye on the Philippines' repeated provocations and harassment, Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Wu Qian said on Thursday during a press briefing.

Earlier, the Philippine side accused the China Coast Guard (CCG) of using sonic or laser weapons against its crew. The spokesperson refuted the claim as an entirely groundless accusation, saying that China has no intention or necessity to use such devices.

The Philippine side, in disregard of repeated warnings from the Chinese side, insisted on sending vessels to intrude into the adjacent waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao and provocatively rammed and scratched a CCG vessel, he said, adding that such behavior is very dangerous and extremely unprofessional. 

The CCG took necessary enforcement measures in accordance with the law, which were totally justified and legitimate, Wu said.

The Philippine side had claimed to conduct humanitarian supplies; however, those supply vessels carried many journalists and propagated disinformation, according to Wu.

"In my view, this is not humanitarian supply at all; it is to deliberately create an incident, play victim and make a show in the name of humanitarian supply," he added.

The spokesperson said that the U.S. side has encouraged the Philippine side to make provocative moves, urging the U.S. to immediately stop meddling in the South China Sea issues and emboldening and supporting Philippine infringement and provocation, and China will safeguard regional security with concrete actions.

The Ren'ai Jiao issue is one between China and the Philippines, and any third party has no right to intervene, he said.

(Cover: A Chinese Coast Guard ship sails near a Philippine vessel (R) that was part of a convoy of civilian boats in the South China Sea, December 10, 2023. /CFP)