Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

When responding to a question from the Global Times about the Philippines recently issuing a statement denying it had sought China's approval for its supply mission to Ren'ai Jiao on March 4 and claiming it does not recognize any rights proposed by China over Ren'ai Jiao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday that the Philippine side's supply missions are all conducted with prior notification to the Chinese side, and on-site verification by Chinese authorities confirmed that only humanitarian supplies for daily living were transported.

Guo said that China has sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their related waters, including Ren'ai Jiao, and China's position on handling the current situation at Ren'ai Jiao is clear and consistent.

First, by keeping its warship grounded at Ren'ai Jiao for decades, the Philippines has been violating China's sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). We demand that the Philippines tow away the warship at once, Guo said. 

Second, before the warship is towed away, if the Philippines needs to send living necessities, out of humanitarianism, China is willing to allow it if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted.

Third, if the Philippines sends large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempts to build fixed facilities and permanent outpost, China will not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with law and regulations.

Guo said that based on the above three principled stances, China reached a temporary arrangement with the Philippines in July last year regarding the transportation of humanitarian supplies for daily living.

Based on the temporary arrangement, and under the full supervision of China Coast Guard (CCG), the Philippines has carried out seven rounds of humanitarian supplies for daily living, he said. All these operations were conducted after the Philippines provided advance notification to China, and on-site verification by Chinese authorities confirmed that only humanitarian supplies for daily living were transported.

China urges the Philippines to cherish the proactive efforts made by China to manage the maritime situation, earnestly abide by its commitments, and refrain from creating unnecessary disturbances or additional complications, he said.

Global Times