China's foreign ministry blames PH over latest confrontation in Ayungin

Posted to ABS-CBN (Jun 20, 2024): China's foreign ministry blames PH over latest confrontation in Ayungin

China's foreign ministry is blaming the Philippine Navy over the recent confrontation between Philippine vessels and the China Coast Guard (CCG) near Ayungin Shoal.Chinese sailors wield sticks, axe in disputed sea clash with Philippines

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian insisted that Ren’ai Jiao (Ayungin Shoal) is part of Chinese territory.

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"The Philippine side illegally intruded the waters of Ren’ai Jiao without China’s permission, which violated international law and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. This is sheer provocation and has no justification whatsoever," Lin said in his latest press conference.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines accused China coast guard of harassing Filipino vessels, even boarding the boats, while the Filipinos were delivering supplies to its military outpost in Ayungin on June 17.

AFP chief-of-staff Romeo Brawner, Jr. said the CCG "hijacked" the Philippines' rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission, resulting in damage and severe injury of a Navy officer, who lost his right thumb.

Some of the CCG personnel also brandished bladed weapons and "deliberately punctured" some of the Philippine rubber boats.

But Lin claimed that the Philippine Navy was not conducting a humanitarian resupply.

"The Philippine vessels secretly carried construction materials and even weapons and equipment, and they deliberately rammed Chinese vessels," he said.

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He went on claiming that it was the Filipinos who threatened the CCG.

"The Philippine side threw water and hurled objects to Chinese enforcement personnel. These acts clearly escalated tensions at sea, and severely threatened the safety of Chinese personnel and vessels," said Lin.

"The Chinese side took necessary measures in accordance with law to safeguard its sovereignty, which was lawful and justified, and done in a professional and restrained manner. It was beyond reproach."

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