Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian affirmed that personnel from a Philippine military vessel illegally beached violently interfered with a routine operation by the Chinese Coast Guard.

Lin noted that on July 20, two Philippine vessels dangerously approached Chinese ships, collided with them, and assaulted law enforcement officers.

The spokesperson stated that the Chinese Coast Guard responded in accordance with applicable law and rejected subsequent accusations from the Philippines, deeming them a distortion of the facts.

He also informed that Beijing lodged a formal protest on Tuesday before the Philippine ambassador to China regarding the incident.

China urged the Philippine Government to cease actions that escalate tensions at sea, avoid further provocations, and control its personnel, while reaffirming its determination to safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

jdt/iff/lam/idm