China: China will take resolute and effective measures to counter attempts to destabilise the South China Sea and safeguard regional peace and stability, a spokesperson for the country's Ministry of National Defense said on Friday.
Spokesperson Chen Xi made the remarks during a regular press briefing in response to a claim by the Philippine military that it had spotted more than 100 Chinese navy and coast guard vessels maintaining a regular presence in waters near Zhongye Dao and Xianbin Jiao. The Philippine military also alleged that China intended to undermine the Philippines' resolve to safeguard its rights and interests.
"China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and Nansha Qundao, including Zhongye Dao, Xianbin Jiao and Ren'ai Jiao, and their adjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters," Chen said.
He added that the islands and reefs fell outside the scope of Philippine territory and that the Philippine side was not qualified to claim it was "safeguarding its own rights and interests".
Chen accused the Philippines of rallying external forces to create tensions in the South China Sea at the expense of the common interests of regional countries.
"The Chinese side will take resolute and effective measures to deter any sabotaging moves in the South China Sea, and uphold regional peace and stability," he said.
