The South China Sea is heating up as the China Coast Guard has issued a stern warning to the Philippines following a recent maritime clash. On Saturday noon, a Philippine Navy ship, identified as No. 9701, reportedly \"deliberately\" collided with a Chinese vessel that was conducting routine maritime operations.
In a statement, Liu Dejun, spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, emphasized that the Philippines must take full responsibility for the incident. \"The Philippine Navy ship illegally entered Xianbin Jiao at 8:02 a.m. on Saturday and has since made provocative moves. We issued warnings in accordance with our laws and regulations,\" Liu stated.
He continued, urging the Philippines to \"face reality and give up illusions,\" insisting that the immediate withdrawal of the ship is the only correct course of action.
China also cautioned against any further provocative actions that could jeopardize its maritime rights, reaffirming its undisputed sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including the Xianbin Jiao, and the surrounding waters.
As tensions persist, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to maintain stability in this critical maritime region.
Reference(s):
China warns Philippines against escalating tensions in South China Sea
cgtn.com