China warns Philippines to cease maritime provocations

Beijing reiterated on Thursday that Ren'ai Reef is an inherent part of its territory, warning the Philippines to cease maritime provocations and stop complicating the situation in the South China Sea.

The activities of Chinese vessels in waters under China's jurisdiction are legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, adding that the Philippines has infringed upon China's territory by leaving a vessel long "grounded" on the reef.

Guo's remarks came on Thursday after reports quoted the Philippine side as saying that, despite an increase in China's activities in waters near Ren'ai Reef, the Philippines will not stop regular missions to resupply the Philippine vessel, which it landed illegally on the reef in 1999.

The "grounded" Philippine vessel is also a violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which calls for parties to refrain from inhabiting uninhabited islands and reefs, Guo said, adding that China has consistently asked the Philippines to tow the vessel away.

In July 2024, China said it had reached a provisional arrangement with the Philippines which allows the latter to send essential provisions to personnel on the vessel.

"This fully shows China's goodwill and sincerity in keeping the situation on Ren'ai Reef under control," Guo said on Thursday.

"But for quite some time, the Philippines has taken a series of provocative steps at sea to infringe on China's sovereignty," Guo said.

The Philippine provocations have violated China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests, undermined maritime peace and stability, and disrupted the political foundations for China and the Philippines to handle maritime issues properly, Guo said.

China will remain firm in safeguarding its territorial integrity and maritime interests, Guo said.

"We ask the Philippines to immediately stop hyping up maritime issues between China and the Philippines, and immediately stop any provocations that may complicate the situation," he said.