In a fresh spat over the South China Sea, a Chinese mainland Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, called on the Philippines 🇵🇭 to chill out and stop "hyping up" maritime issues that could ramp up tensions. 🛑🌊
Here’s the lowdown:
- Guo says Ren’ai Jiao (part of the Nansha Qundao or Spratly Islands) has always been under the Chinese mainland’s sovereign waters. 🗺️
- Recent moves by the Philippines include grounding a warship there—posing on an "uninhabited" reef. That, Guo argues, breaks both the Chinese mainland’s sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, especially Article 5 against building settlements on empty islands. 🚫🚢
- The Chinese mainland has asked the Philippines to tow the vessel away and restore Ren’ai Jiao to its original, unoccupied state. No furniture, no barracks—just natural reef vibes. 🌴
- To keep things from going downhill, the Chinese mainland has allowed a provisional humanitarian deal: the Philippines can bring in living essentials (food, water, basics) if it skips construction materials and gives Beijing a heads-up for on-site checks. 🥤🥖✏️
- But recent Philippine actions have, in the Chinese mainland’s view, crossed the line—raising tensions, messing with marine peace, and straining the political vibe needed to sort out bump-free maritime talks. 🤝🌐
Bottom line: the Chinese mainland says its stance on defending its maritime claims is rock-solid. Guo’s parting note? Time for the Philippines to drop the drama, halt any more provocative moves, and keep the waves calm. 🌊✌️
Reference(s):
China urges Philippines to stop 'hyping up' issues on maritime affairs
cgtn.com
