BEIJING, (Xinhua) — A Chinese military spokesperson said on Thursday that the Philippines’ attempts to provoke maritime trouble by banking on external forces would be self-defeating.
Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks while responding to a media query about the Philippines’ claims regarding China’s so-called recent moves in the South China Sea targeting the Philippines.
Recently, the Philippine side has intruded into the airspace over and the waters adjacent to China’s Huangyan Dao and the islands and reefs of China’s Nansha Qundao, deliberately charged into the exercise and training zones of the Chinese side, and even closed in on Chinese vessels in a dangerous manner, Zhang said.
He noted that such repeated rights violations and harassing acts against China have heightened factors of insecurity and instability in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We urge the Philippine side to stop counting on external forces to stir up troubles at sea, since such a scheme will prove self-defeating and fruitless,” the spokesperson said.
China remains unwavering in its resolve to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Zhang said, adding that it will continue to take resolute countermeasures against any rights-violation and provocations.
