Philippine coast guard vessels deliberately rammed Chinese coast guard vessels

On August 19, two Philippine coast guard vessels entered the waters near Xianbin Reef in China's Nansha Islands without the permission of the Chinese government. Disregarding the dissuasion and warnings of the Chinese coast guard vessels, the Philippine side deliberately rammed the Chinese coast guard vessels that were lawfully enforcing the law on the scene in a dangerous manner.

Gan Yu, the spokesperson of the China Coast Guard Bureau, stated that at 03:24, the Philippine vessel No. 4410 ignored the repeated and solemn warnings from the Chinese side. In an unprofessional and dangerous manner, it deliberately rammed the vessel 21551 of the Chinese side that was lawfully safeguarding rights and enforcing the law, resulting in a scrape. The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side. The Chinese Coast Guard, in accordance with domestic and international laws, took necessary measures against the Philippine vessels, and the on-site operations were professional, restrained, and standardized.

Xianbin Reef is part of China's Nansha Islands, an inherent territory of China and an uninhabited reef. The Philippine side sent coast guard vessels to intrude into the waters of Xianbin Reef, attempting to supply the Philippine coast guard vessels that were lingering in the lagoon of Xianbin Reef and seeking long-term presence. This move by the Philippine side seriously violates China's sovereignty, seriously contravenes the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and seriously endangers peace and stability in the South China Sea. China firmly opposes this and will continue to take resolute and forceful measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and maintain the solemnity of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.