MND: Illegitimate Attempts of the Philippine Side are Doomed to Fail

Question:  It was reported that recently, Philippine public vessels intruded into the waters under China's jurisdiction at Huangyan Dao multiple times. The China Coast Guard (CCG) took necessary countermeasures in accordance with the law to expel them. Later, the Philippines, the US, and Japan conducted so-called joint patrols in the relevant waters and airspace. What's your comment on this?

Jiang Bin: Defense and security cooperation among relevant countries should not target at any third party, nor undermine regional peace and stability. Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory. The Philippines' territorial scope is defined by a number of international treaties, and Huangyan Dao lies beyond that scope. This fact cannot be altered no matter what tricks the Philippine side plays, or whomever it courts for support. Its illegitimate attempts are doomed to fail. The Chinese military will always remain on high alert, resolutely counter any rights-violation and provocative acts, take concrete actions to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.