China says Philippine vessels' dangerous maneuvers endangered safety of ships, personnel

The Philippine vessels' frequent dangerous maneuvers had seriously endangered the safety of Chinese ships and personnel in the South China Sea, a spokesman for China's Defense Ministry said on Friday.

The ministry's spokesman, Jiang Bin, made the remarks at an online news conference on Friday, noting the dangerous actions and intrusion of the Philippines into the territorial waters of Huangyan Island had seriously violated China's sovereignty and rights and severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea.

He was responding to recent media reports that a collision occurred between a China Coast Guard vessel and a Chinese navy ship while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea.

In addition, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Romeo Brawner Jr, reportedly claimed that their military and coast guard personnel had been instructed to follow "Rules of Engagement" when performing their duties, which allowed them to have the right to defend themselves.

Jiang said that on Monday, multiple Philippine coast guard and official ships illegally intruded into the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Island. "In response, Chinese Coast Guard vessels took lawful measures such as monitoring, driving away, and blocking to expel them."

He pointed out that the Philippine coast guard vessels frequently engaged in dangerous maneuvers such as high-speed approaches and sharp turns across the bows of Chinese ships, "creating a complex and urgent maritime situation".

"We demand that the Philippines immediately cease its infringing and provocative actions and statements. China reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures to firmly safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights," Jiang said.