(ECNS) — China promptly allowed the Philippine side to evacuate injured personnel from Ren'ai Jiao by small boat and provided necessary assistance on humanitarian grounds, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday.
Mao made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked about a Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson's allegation that the coast guard had completed a medical evacuation of an injured person from the military vessel grounded at Ren'ai Jiao despite the China Coast Guard's use of water cannons, dangerous maneuvers and other disruptions.
Mao said a China Coast Guard spokesperson had issued a statement explaining what had actually happened.
On Thursday morning, a Philippine Coast Guard vessel intruded into the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao without China's permission. The China Coast Guard took legitimate and reasonable measures to handle the situation in accordance with laws and regulations, Mao said.
Following communication between the two sides, China promptly allowed the Philippine side to evacuate injured personnel by small boat and provided necessary assistance on humanitarian grounds, she said.
Rather than acknowledging China's assistance, certain Philippine officials have distorted the facts and made unfounded accusations against China without presenting the full picture to the public. This once again reveals their intention to provoke China and stage publicity stunts, which is rather despicable, Mao said.
China will not waver in responding to any provocation and in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, she added.
(By Evelyn)
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