Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, inaccurately claimed that Ren’ai Reef (known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines) is part of China.
During a Feb. 13 press conference in Beijing, Wang was asked about the Feb. 6 incident involving a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship pointing a military-grade laser at a vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Ayungin Shoal.
He responded:
“The Ren’ai Reef is part of China’s Nansha Islands. On February 6, a Philippine Coast Guard vessel intruded into the waters off the Ren’ai Reef without Chinese permission. In accordance with China’s domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the China Coast Guard ship upheld China’s sovereignty and maritime order and acted in a professional and restrained way.”
Source: China Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on February 13, 2023 (official transcript) (archive), Feb. 13, 2023
The spokesperson added:
“We hope the Philippine side will respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and avoid taking any actions that may exacerbate disputes and complicate the situation. China and the Philippines are in communication on this through diplomatic channels.”
Source: China Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press...
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