BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) — A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday rejected Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo's comments on the South China Sea issue, saying there is no such situation. China is “harassing” the Philippines.
Chinese spokesman Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press conference in response to a question Manalo called on China to stop harassing Philippine ships in South Sea waters in an interview with AFP this morning.
China's position on the South China Sea issue is consistent and clear, Mao said, adding that the reason for the recent maritime developments is that the Philippines has often carried out provocative actions in the South China Sea, violating territorial sovereignty and violating China's maritime rights and interests.
China has taken necessary measures to defend its own sovereignty, rights and interests in accordance with the law. There is no situation where China is “harassing” the Philippines, he stressed. End