Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jiang claimed on Friday that the recent Philippines’ operation near the disputed Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea to Beijing) had nothing to do with humanitarian resupply.
“This operation of the Philippines is absolutely not about ‘humanitarian resupply.’ The Philippine vessels secretly carried construction materials and even weapons and equipment, and they deliberately rammed Chinese vessels,” Lin claimed.
The Chinese spokesperson also took issue with the Filipino troops throwing water and hurling objects against the China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel, who wielded deadly weapons during the tense encounter.
Video footage released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clearly showed members of the CCG acting belligerent at sea. The images directly contradicted statements from Beijing that it was the Filipinos who made “provocative action” during the incident.
The confrontation resulted in injuries to Philippine sailors, with one losing a finger, and the confiscation of equipment including firearms. The incident has drawn international condemnation and calls for restraint from various nations, including the United States and G7 members.
AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner reiterated that their personnel were unarmed and were forced to defend themselves “with their bare hands” against the aggressive actions of the CCG.
Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and more than 1,000 kilometres from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island.
It is the same location where there have been recent collisions between vessels belonging to both countries, as well as water cannoning by the CCG. – With Agence France Presse