Chinese Foreign Ministry elaborates on its position regarding Ren'ai Jiao in South China Sea

China is committed to managing the situation in Ren'ai Jiao through dialogue and consultation and the reasons causing the current situation are crystal clear, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday during a regular press briefing.

One of the reasons is that the Philippine side broke its promise and refused to tow away the grounded warship, Mao said.

The Philippines also denied the "gentleman's agreement" reached with the Chinese side during the Duterte administration and has arbitrarily infringed on China's rights and made provocations at sea, she said.

Thirdly, the Philippines has discarded the internal understanding reached between the current administration and the Chinese side on Ren'ai Jiao and insisted on delivering construction materials to the grounded warship in an attempt to carry out large-scale repairs and reinforcement in an attempt to occupy Ren'ai Jiao permanently, she added.

Mao said such actions are in violation of China's territorial sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

If the Philippine side really wants to ease the situation through communication, it should keep its promise, abide by the common understanding and stop making provocations, the spokesperson said.

Noting that Article 5 of the DOC states that the parties should refrain from inhabiting the presently uninhabited islands and reefs, she urged the Philippine side to immediately restore the original uninhabited status of the Ren'ai Jiao.

Before the Philippines tow away the warship, China permits daily necessities supply for personnel living in the warship, providing prior notification to the Chinese side and on-site examination, and the Chinese side will monitor the entire process, she said.

However, China will never accept any case if the Philippine side transports large quantities of building materials on board in an attempt to build fixed facilities and a permanent outpost, she said, adding that China will resolutely block such acts in accordance with laws and regulations to safeguard the seriousness of China's sovereignty as well as the DOC.

(Cover: Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, China. /CFP)