China says Philippines entirely to be blamed for clashes in South China Sea: Video
China has blamed the Philippines for the ship clash that happened last week in the South China Sea.
China's remarks come on the back of the Filipino government slamming the Chinese government for "repeated aggressive, unprofessional and illegal" activities in the South China Sea.
On Sunday, August 25, China launched another attack against two Philippine coast guard ships that had entered waters near the contested Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.
However, in a press conference captured by the AFP, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, strongly defended the actions taken against the Philippines so far.
"Here, I want to again emphasise that Xianbin Jiao is part of China's Nansha Islands. On August 25, despite China's firm opposition and repeated warnings, a vessel from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources forcefully entered the waters near Xianbin Jiao in the Nansha Islands and deliberately collided with a Chinese coast guard ship that was lawfully enforcing regulations. The responsibility for the collision of the two vessels lies entirely with the Philippine side," he said.
The Chinese rep also emphasised that "The Chinese Coast Guard acted under domestic and international law in taking necessary measures against the Philippine vessel. Their actions on the scene were professional, restrained, and standardised."
Last week, another spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, said China is resolute and will maintain "forceful measures" after the Philippine Coast Guard vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño were involved in the collision with Chinese Coast Guard ships while en route to Patag and Lawak Islands.
"The Philippines' move seriously violated China's sovereignty, seriously violated the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and seriously jeopardised peace and stability in the South China Sea. China firmly opposes this and will continue to take resolute and forceful measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold the seriousness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," she said.
