South China Sea: China warns Philippines against further provocations

China has warned the Philippines against future provocations near a South China Sea atoll, saying such actions challenged Chinese territorial sovereignty, violated international law, and damaged regional peace and stability.

The Philippines’ boundary is established by a series of international treaties, and the atoll, known as Renai Reef, has never been part of its territory, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a strongly worded statement.

The Philippines has been providing supplies to troops stationed on a World War II-era transport ship turned military outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal in recent months, leading the China Coast Guard to deploy warships to impede the resupply missions.

China claims sovereignty over practically the entire South China Sea, drawing a line on its maps that crosses the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that the line on China’s maps lacked legal support, which Beijing denies.

The atoll is known as Ayungin in the Philippines and Renai Reef in China. It is located 190 kilometers (118 miles) off the Philippine island of Palawan.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated in a statement that the Philippines “has no legal basis at all” to assert sovereignty over Renai Reef due to its relative proximity to Philippine territory.

The Chinese Ministry stated that the Philippines “repeatedly pledged to do so as soon as possible.”

“However, the Philippine battleship is still there after 24 years. China cannot accept the Philippines’ repeated actions of breaking its word and disrespecting its territorial sovereignty, the statement stated.

The Philippines must stop “making provocations” and “creating troubles” at sea, the Ministry added.

China will continue to do what is necessary to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, it said.