China urges Philippines to immediately cease provocations, false claims

(ECNS) -- A China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesperson on Thursday warned the Philippines to immediately cease its infringements, provocations and false claims after a Philippine Coast Guard vessel transported an injured person from a grounded vessel near Ren'ai Jiao.

Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 went to waters near Ren'ai Jiao on Thursday to transport one injured person from what Jiang Lue, the China Coast Guard spokesperson, called a vessel illegally grounded there.

China immediately allowed the Philippines to transfer the injured person by small boat for humanitarian reasons, Jiang said. The coast guard handled the matter in accordance with the law and regulations and provided necessary assistance.

The Philippines' remarks disregard the facts and distort the truth in an attempt to mislead the public, the spokesperson said.

Jiang said China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, known internationally as the Spratly Islands, including Ren'ai Jiao, and the adjacent waters.