Question: On 19 June, the UK FCDO issued a statement on the South China Sea, making irresponsible remarks about China Coast Guard’s law enforcement action against the Philippines near Ren’ai Jiao in the South China Sea. What is your comment? Embassy Spokesperson: We strongly condemn the British side’s relevant remarks, which disregard facts and confuse right and wrong. The merits of the recent situation in the waters of Ren’ai Jiao which is part of China’s Nansha Qundao are very clear. What directly led to the situation was the Philippines’ deliberate intrusion into the waters of Ren’ai Jiao. The law enforcement action taken by China Coast Guard on the scene was necessary and conducted in accordance with the law. It was justified, professional, restrained and beyond reproach. The Philippines keeps saying that they were sending living necessities, but secretly they’ve been trying to send construction materials and even weapons and ammunition to the grounded warship for the long-term occupation of Ren’ai Jiao which China will never allow. We urge the UK to immediately stop making dangerous remarks that distort facts and provoke confrontation.
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