Q: On December 4, the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines  “condemned” China's “unlawful” use of water cannons and “dangerous maneuvers” on social media, accusing China of disrupting a Philippine maritime operation and putting lives at risk. She added that the U.S. stands with “like-minded friends, partners and allies in support of a free and open Indo-pacific.”  Envoys to the Philippines from the U.K., Australia, Japan, the E.U. and a number of the U.S. allies also expressed their concerns. What is the Embassy’s comment on this?

A: Huangyan Dao has always been China’s territory. On December 4, ignoring multiple warnings from China, the Philippines sent Coast Guard and official vessels there in an attempt to intrude into China’s territorial sea surrounding Huangyan Dao. China took necessary actions in response to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law. The measures are justified, lawful, professional and restrained. China has also released the on-site video.

The U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines overlooked basic facts and made groundless accusations against China's legitimate measures for protecting its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We firmly oppose and condemn her accusation. The United States and those allies are not parties to the issue of the South China Sea and have no right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines. We urge these countries to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop sowing discord and adding fuel to the fire, and stop being troublemakers for peace and stability in the South China Sea.