When responding to a question about the Philippines recently asserting that no permission was sought from, nor granted by, China for the conduct of its resupply mission to Ren'ai Jiao on March 4 and claiming that it does not recognize Beijing's authority over Ren'ai Jiao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday that the entire process of Philippine resupply missions was monitored by China Coast Guard. China had been informed of the resupply before it was carried out, and confirmed on-the-scene that the Philippine vessel carried only humanitarian living necessities.

Guo Jiakun, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson/MFA PRC

Guo noted that China has sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, which include Ren'ai Jiao, and their adjacent waters. China's position on how to handle the current situation at Ren'ai Jiao is clear and consistent.

First, by keeping its warship grounded at Ren'ai Jiao for decades running, the Philippines has been violating China's sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). China demands that the Philippines tow away the warship.

Second, between now and when the warship is towed away, should the Philippines need to send living necessities, China is willing to allow it in a humanitarian spirit if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted.

Third, if the Philippines were to send large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost, China will absolutely not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with the law and regulations.

Guo said that on the basis of the above principled position, last July, China reached provisional arrangement with the Philippines on humanitarian resupply of living necessities. Since then, based on the provisional arrangement, the Philippine side has conducted seven resupply missions of living necessities. The entire process was monitored by China Coast Guard. China had been informed of the resupply before it was carried out, and confirmed on-the-scene that the Philippine vessel carried only humanitarian living necessities.

"The Chinese side will continue to firmly defend China's sovereignty and rights and interests. We urge the Philippines not to take for granted China's active effort to get the situation at sea under control, honor its commitments, and stop flip-flopping on them and creating troubles." Guo said. (By Ma Ziqian/China Youth Daily)