Q: In its statement the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines protested the harassment and blocking, and dangerous maneuvers of the China Coast Guard against the vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on a regular humanitarian mission last April 30. The Philippines demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc (Huangyan Dao) and its vicinity immediately. What is your comment on this?

A: Huangyan Dao has always been China’s territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters. The Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR vessels entered waters off Huangyan Dao on the 30th of April without Chinese permission, which seriously infringed on China’s sovereignty. China Coast Guard took necessary measures to expel them in accordance with the law. The operations  on the ground were professional, rational, reasonable and legitimate. The Chinese side has lodged solemn representations both in Beijing and in Manila to the Philippine side demanding the Philippines to stop its provocation and infringement immediately.