02:23Mao Ning, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, defended the Chinese Coast Guard over a recent confrontation of Chinese with Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, saying the coast guard ship reacted lawfully to 'provocations' after the Philippine ships 'violated China’s territorial waters', as she spoke during a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
"Philippine vessels were carrying out an illegal 'resupply mission' which violated China’s territorial waters and staging a provocation when stopped by China Coast Guard, who acted lawfully and rightfully to defend China’s sovereignty. The Philippine side should face the consequences of its action,” Mao said.
The comments come after a Chinese coast guard ship confronted three Philippine vessels which had headed out to resupply a coast guard ship which is currently stranded on a reef according to media reports.
"We will certainly not sit by and watch when our legitimate rights and interests and regional peace and stability are being violated or under threat," Mao added.
Earlier this week, China and the Philippines agreed to reduce tensions in the disputed South China Sea after talks in Manila where the sides also considered co-operation between their respective coast guards as well as for scientific purposes.
In June, the Philippine military clashed with Chinese Coast Guard ships in the disputed region, with Chinese personnel boarding the Philippine ships and taking away weapons and other items, according to reports.
China asserts control over a large part of the South China Sea, while South East Asian nations including the Philippines also claim parts of the area.
Mao Ning also commented on the economic relationship with Germany saying China viewed no obstacles for increasing economic co-operation.
"There is every reason for our two countries to increase trade and economic co-operation in the spirit of mutual benefit and in line with market rules, which serves both countries’ interests," the spokesperson stated while calling on Germany to provide a 'fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment'.
'We will certainly not sit by and watch' - MOFA accuses Philippines of 'provocations' in South China Sea
Mao Ning, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, defended the Chinese Coast Guard over a recent confrontation of Chinese with Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, saying the coast guard ship reacted lawfully to 'provocations' after the Philippine ships 'violated China’s territorial waters', as she spoke during a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
"Philippine vessels were carrying out an illegal 'resupply mission' which violated China’s territorial waters and staging a provocation when stopped by China Coast Guard, who acted lawfully and rightfully to defend China’s sovereignty. The Philippine side should face the consequences of its action,” Mao said.
The comments come after a Chinese coast guard ship confronted three Philippine vessels which had headed out to resupply a coast guard ship which is currently stranded on a reef according to media reports.
"We will certainly not sit by and watch when our legitimate rights and interests and regional peace and stability are being violated or under threat," Mao added.
Earlier this week, China and the Philippines agreed to reduce tensions in the disputed South China Sea after talks in Manila where the sides also considered co-operation between their respective coast guards as well as for scientific purposes.
In June, the Philippine military clashed with Chinese Coast Guard ships in the disputed region, with Chinese personnel boarding the Philippine ships and taking away weapons and other items, according to reports.
China asserts control over a large part of the South China Sea, while South East Asian nations including the Philippines also claim parts of the area.
Mao Ning also commented on the economic relationship with Germany saying China viewed no obstacles for increasing economic co-operation.
"There is every reason for our two countries to increase trade and economic co-operation in the spirit of mutual benefit and in line with market rules, which serves both countries’ interests," the spokesperson stated while calling on Germany to provide a 'fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment'.
Mao Ning, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, defended the Chinese Coast Guard over a recent confrontation of Chinese with Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, saying the coast guard ship reacted lawfully to 'provocations' after the Philippine ships 'violated China’s territorial waters', as she spoke during a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
"Philippine vessels were carrying out an illegal 'resupply mission' which violated China’s territorial waters and staging a provocation when stopped by China Coast Guard, who acted lawfully and rightfully to defend China’s sovereignty. The Philippine side should face the consequences of its action,” Mao said.
The comments come after a Chinese coast guard ship confronted three Philippine vessels which had headed out to resupply a coast guard ship which is currently stranded on a reef according to media reports.
"We will certainly not sit by and watch when our legitimate rights and interests and regional peace and stability are being violated or under threat," Mao added.
Earlier this week, China and the Philippines agreed to reduce tensions in the disputed South China Sea after talks in Manila where the sides also considered co-operation between their respective coast guards as well as for scientific purposes.
In June, the Philippine military clashed with Chinese Coast Guard ships in the disputed region, with Chinese personnel boarding the Philippine ships and taking away weapons and other items, according to reports.
China asserts control over a large part of the South China Sea, while South East Asian nations including the Philippines also claim parts of the area.
Mao Ning also commented on the economic relationship with Germany saying China viewed no obstacles for increasing economic co-operation.
"There is every reason for our two countries to increase trade and economic co-operation in the spirit of mutual benefit and in line with market rules, which serves both countries’ interests," the spokesperson stated while calling on Germany to provide a 'fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment'.