China summons Philippine ​ambassador to lodge stern representation over conflict at Ren'ai Jiao

China's Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippine ​ambassador to China on Tuesday ‌to lodge a solemn representation regarding the Philippines' deliberate provocation at China's Ren'ai Jiao and its attack against Chinese Coast Guard law enforcement personnel.

In a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China emphasized that Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao in the South China Sea and part of China's territory. The law enforcement activities carried out by the China Coast Guard in the waters near Ren'ai Jiao were lawful and legitimate.

The Philippine vessel illegally "grounded" at Ren'ai Jiao released two rubber boats, which approached the Chinese vessel at high speed in a dangerous manner and rammed it. Philippine personnel then maliciously harassed and attacked Chinese law enforcement officers, according to the statement.

The Philippine side provoked the incident first, yet turned around to shift the blame, distort the facts, and hyped up the incident, the statement said. 

The ministry expressed strong dissatisfaction and lodged a stern protest regarding the incident, and China demands that the Philippines immediately halt its provocations and groundless hype. 

China will take actions to firmly safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the ministry said.