China accuses Philippines of trespassing
Chinese听coast guard attacked two Philippine supply ships听on Nov. 16听using a water cannon for trespassing, according to its Foreign Ministry spokesman.听
The Philippine boats trespassed into waters near Ren’ai Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao,听according to a transcript of听Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian鈥檚 briefing posted on the agency鈥檚 website on Thursday.听
Ren’ai Jiao is the Chinese name for Ayungin or the Second Thomas Shoal.听
The spokesman said Chinese coast guards had听followed听their mandate. 鈥淐hinese coast guard vessels performed official duties in accordance with law and upheld China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime order.鈥听
The听Department of Foreign Affairs听(DFA)听earlier听told China to back off听because听it has听鈥渘o law enforcement rights in and around these areas.鈥听
It also warned听that the听incident could jeopardize relations between听the two countries,听while听citing听its听Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States.听
The Chinese spokesman said the Philippines and China听were in talks about the incident.听DFA did not immediately respond to a WhatsApp message听seeking comment.听鈥斕Alyssa Nicole O. Tan听
