Recently, Filipino aircraft and ships illegally entered the maritime airspace under Chinese jurisdiction without permission from China. According to a report on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiaqun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded at a regular press conference on October 6 that China firmly opposes any actions by the Philippines that harm China’s sovereignty and interests. China will continue to take necessary measures to firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea.
Guo Jiaqun stated that China has sovereignty over Huangyan Island and the Spratly Islands, including Zhongye Island and Tielian Reef, as well as the surrounding waters. China possesses sovereign rights and jurisdiction over these areas. The territory of the Philippines is defined by a series of international treaties, and Huangyan Island and the Spratly Islands are not within the territory of the Philippines. Recently, Filipino aircraft and vessels entered Chinese airspace without permission from China, interfering with China’s lawful law enforcement activities. This constitutes a serious violation of China’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, and it is an intentional attempt to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea. The Chinese military and coast guard have taken lawful measures to address this situation, which are justified and reasonable.
Guo Jiaqun emphasized that China firmly opposes any actions by the Philippines that violate China’s sovereignty and rights. China will continue to take necessary measures to firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea. China is warning the Philippines to immediately stop all acts of infringement and provocation.
According to a report on the WeChat official account 'Southern War Zone' on October 5th, Zhai Shichen, a naval colonel and spokesman for the Southern War Zone, stated that on October 3rd, a Philippine C-208 aircraft illegally intruded into Chinese airspace over Huangyan Island without the approval of the Chinese government.
The Southern War Zone of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has organized naval and air forces to track and monitor, and to issue warnings and remove intruders in accordance with laws and regulations. Huangyan Island is an inherent part of China’s territory. The actions of the Philippines constitute a serious violation of China’s sovereignty and can easily lead to maritime and aerial incidents. We are warning the Philippines to immediately stop its illegal acts of provocation. The troops in the war zone maintain a high level of vigilance and will resolutely defend national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability.
