Exclusive video footage obtained by the Global Times shows a Philippine "fisherman" holding a long knife during a law enforcement operation by the China Coast Guard at Xianbin Jiao in the South China Sea.

In response to the Philippines' distortion of facts and shifting of blame, China's defense ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday that China will continue to take firm and effective measures to resolutely respond to all acts of infringement and provocation.

On Tuesday, the Philippine defense secretary issued a statement on social media, falsely accusing China's maritime law enforcement forces of taking "dangerous and inhumane" actions against Philippine fishermen in waters near Xianbin Jiao, and denying that Philippine fishermen threatened Chinese law enforcement officers with knives.

In response, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson from China's defense ministry, said that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Xianbin Jiao, and their adjacent waters. This is supported by ample historical and legal evidence. The Philippine side, in an organized and premeditated manner, mobilized a large number of vessels to illegally intrude into the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao. Philippine personnel even threatened on-site Chinese Coast Guard officers enforcing the law with knives, acting with extreme arrogance and in a serious manner.

China has taken necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. These actions are reasonable, lawful, professional and restrained. In the face of clear facts, certain people on the Philippine side are blatantly distorting the facts, making excuses to deny their own infringement and provocations, and even turning around to accuse China—completely reversing right and wrong and crying thief while being one themselves, said Jiang.

For some time now, the Philippine side has repeatedly stirred up incidents at sea, putting on self-directed and self-staged farces, deliberately smearing and accusing China, agitating the situation in the South China Sea and undermining regional stability, Jiang noted.

We solemnly warn the Philippine side that playing the victim, hyping and sensationalizing the issue will not change the nature of its illegal infringements, will not mislead the international community, and will not shake China's resolve to safeguard its rights in accordance with the law. China will continue to take firm and effective measures to resolutely respond to all acts of infringement and provocation, according to Jiang.