Ren’ai Jiao, as part of Nansha Qundao, is China’s territory. On May 9, 1999, the Philippines illegally grounded a warship there, calling it “stranded.” China requested the Philippine side on multiple occasions to tow away the warship, and the Philippines promised many times to China that it would be removed. But 27 years have passed and the commitment remains unfulfilled. China remains unwavering in its determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the Philippine side to earnestly fulfill its commitments, stop at once provocations at sea and the spread of disinformation, and rein in its personnel at the site. Otherwise, all consequences thereof shall be borne by the Philippine side.

Global Times: We’ve learned that Chinese and Philippine personnel engaged in violent confrontation near Ren’ai Jiao yesterday. The Philippine military issued a statement saying that a Philippine sailor was injured in the incident. Does China have further information to share on that? What is your comment? Lin Jian: Personnel from the Philippines’ military vessel illegally “grounded” at Ren’ai Jiao blatantly disrupted China Coast Guard’s normal law enforcement and maliciously attacked Chinese law enforcement personnel. China Coast Guard has shared information on what actually happened. China Coast Guard vessel was conducting routine law enforcement activity near China’s Ren’ai Jiao yesterday when two boats from the illegally grounded Philippine warship deliberately closed in and rammed into the CCG vessel in a dangerous manner and violently attacked the Chinese personnel on board, forcing them to react firmly yet lawfully. After the incident, the Philippines distorted facts, falsely accused the Chinese side, and spread disinformation. China strongly deplores and firmly rejects the Philippines’ moves. This morning, the Chinese side lodged serious protests with the Philippine ambassador to China. Let me stress that Ren’ai Jiao, as part of Nansha Qundao, is China’s territory. It is well known that on May 9, 1999, the Philippines illegally grounded a warship there, calling it “stranded.” China requested the Philippine side on multiple occasions to tow away the warship, and the Philippines promised many times to China that it will be removed. But 27 years has passed and the commitment remains undelivered. China remains unwavering in its determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the Philippine side to earnestly fulfill its commitments, stop at once provocations at sea and the spread of disinformation, and reign in its personnel at the site. Otherwise all consequences thereof shall be borne by the Philippine side. Bloomberg: Regarding the incident that you just mentioned. In light of this incident, what is the latest thinking on the Chinese side regarding the 2024 provisional agreement between the two countries? Is it still in effect? Or does China consider that the agreement has now been violated in some way? Lin Jian: In July 2024, on the basis of a three-point principled position, China reached provisional arrangement with the Philippines on humanitarian resupply of living necessities involving Ren’ai Jiao. China’s position remains unchanged. Let me briefly reiterate the three points. First, by keeping its warship grounded at Ren’ai Jiao for decades running, the Philippines has been violating China’s sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. We continue to demand that the Philippines tow away the warship illegally grounded at Rei’ai Jiao and restore Ren’ai Jiao’s state of hosting no personnel or facilities. Second, between now and when the warship is towed away, in a humanitarian spirit, China is willing to allow the Philippines to send living necessities to the personnel living on the warship if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted. China will monitor the entire resupply process. Third, if the Philippines were to attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost, China will absolutely not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with the law and regulations. In the recent incident, the Philippine side started with deliberate provocation and violent assault on Chinese law enforcement personnel, and followed up with false allegation, distortion and disinformation. China strongly deplores and firmly rejects these moves. This morning, the Chinese side lodged serious representations with the Philippine side. We urge the Philippine side to earnestly fulfill its commitments, stop at once provocations at sea and the spread of disinformation.