Chinese military vows firm countermeasures against provocations in South China Sea

The Chinese military will take firm and effective countermeasures against any provocative attempts to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Friday.

It's reported that after the Philippines deposited its so-called official nautical chart of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding maritime zones with the UN, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command conducted joint exercises in the territorial waters and airspace of Huangyan Dao as well as its surrounding areas. The China Coast Guard also carried out law-enforcement training in relevant waters. The spokesperson for the Philippine National Maritime Council claimed that any drills conducted by the Chinese side in this area are deemed illegal.

In response, at a regular press briefing, Chen Xi, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, reiterated that Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory. "China has continuously, peacefully and effectively exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao and is the only country entitled by international law to declare the baselines of the territorial sea of Huangyan Dao."

Relevant actions of the Philippine side seriously violated China's territorial sovereignty, international law and the basic norms of international relations, Chen said, stressing that they are illegal, null and void. 

"Our exercises stand as a serious warning against violations and provocations by the Philippine side," he said, adding that these are necessary and legitimate measures to safeguard China's sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its rights and interests.

In fact, since its independence in 1946, the Philippines has expanded its claims of territory and jurisdictional waters through domestic legislation while claiming to follow international law, the spokesperson said, adding that its behavior has led to wide wariness and dissatisfaction as well as resolute opposition from other littoral countries to the South China Sea.

China urges the Philippine side to immediately stop its illegitimate acts violating China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and stop its provocations and propaganda, said Chen.