Philippines should immediately stop its maritime infringements, provocations: FM spokesperson

BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines should cease its infringement activities at sea and stop spreading false narratives and distorting the truth, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday.

File photo: CFP

Guo made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a query related to recent incidents in the South China Sea.

This morning, an official vessel from the Philippines started provocations and deliberately rammed into a China coast guard vessel in the adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao.

"Such moves pose a serious threat to safety of Chinese personnel and vessels and constitute a serious violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations," Guo said.

The Philippines should immediately stop its maritime infringements and provocations, cease spreading false narratives and distorting facts, he said.

"China will continue to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea," the spokesperson said.