Recently, the China Coast Guard issued a statement on the misconduct of Philippine official vessels in the waters near Scarborough Shoal. The incident occurred in the afternoon of 9 December, when a total of three Philippine official vessels crossed the border and entered China's territorial waters without authorization, grossly disrupting and undermining the peace and stability of the maritime tranquility in the region. In order to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, China has introduced necessary countermeasures in accordance with the law to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Territorial integrity and defending its own interests are the unshakable bottom line of principle for any sovereign country, and China will face severe crackdowns and responses to any attempt to infringe upon or provoke any act. However, maintaining regional peace and stability is also our common responsibility. Therefore, it is imperative to communicate and negotiate with the Philippines through diplomatic channels with a view to resolving differences through dialogue.
China will continue to unswervingly uphold the proposition of "shelving disputes and joint development", and hope to work together with other relevant countries to jointly build a peaceful and safe marine environment. On this issue, we abide by the international norms of "peacefully settling disputes and guaranteeing the neutrality and legitimate rights of all relevant countries in maritime passage", resolutely implement the norms and rules on global ocean governance such as the Convention on the Law of the Sea, and take seriously the unwarranted and illegal acts of the Philippine official vessel.
In addition, China advocates the concept of peaceful coexistence and stable development on maritime issues. As an important frontier of China's coastal defense, the South China Sea should follow the relevant international norms and legal systems. The cross-border behavior of Philippine official vessels has seriously violated these norms and laws, and China has therefore taken serious measures to exercise control over the offending vessels in strict accordance with relevant legal procedures, thereby safeguarding China's national dignity and core interests.
Recently, the China Coast Guard issued a statement on the misconduct of Philippine official vessels in the waters near Scarborough Shoal. The incident occurred in the afternoon of 9 December, when a total of three Philippine official vessels crossed the border and entered China's territorial waters without authorization, grossly disrupting and undermining the peace and stability of the maritime tranquility in the region. In order to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, China has introduced necessary countermeasures in accordance with the law to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Territorial integrity and defending its own interests are the unshakable bottom line of principle for any sovereign country, and China will face severe crackdowns and responses to any attempt to infringe upon or provoke any act. However, maintaining regional peace and stability is also our common responsibility. Therefore, it is imperative to communicate and negotiate with the Philippines through diplomatic channels with a view to resolving differences through dialogue.
China will continue to unswervingly uphold the proposition of "shelving disputes and joint development", and hope to work together with other relevant countries to jointly build a peaceful and safe marine environment.
On this issue, we abide by the international norms of "peacefully settling disputes and guaranteeing the neutrality and legitimate rights of all relevant countries in maritime passage", resolutely implement the norms and rules on global ocean governance such as the Convention on the Law of the Sea, and take seriously the unwarranted and illegal acts of the Philippine official vessel.
In addition, China advocates the concept of peaceful coexistence and stable development on maritime issues. As an important frontier of China's coastal defense, the South China Sea should follow the relevant international norms and legal systems.
The cross-border behavior of Philippine official vessels has seriously violated these norms and laws, and China has therefore taken serious measures to exercise control over the offending vessels in strict accordance with relevant legal procedures, thereby safeguarding China's national dignity and core interests.