Remarks of the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore on Ren'ai Jiao Issue

2021-12-02 16:12

An article titled “Ominous Encounters at South China Sea Shoal” written by Dr. Ian Storey, a Senior Fellow with ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute was published in the Straits Times on November 27. The author commented on the issue of the Philippines’ supply delivery to Ren'ai Jiao (the Second Thomas Shoal), claiming that China’s move against the Philippines was another attempt to assert its expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and such incidents might escalate into a bigger crisis. Such an assumption is neither reasonable nor fact-based. To refute such wrong arguments, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore makes the following remarks:

Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Islands. China demands that the Philippine side honor its commitment and remove its illegally grounded vessel from Ren'ai Jiao. This position remains unchanged. This delivery of food and other supplies is a provisional, special arrangement out of humanitarian considerations. The China Coast Guard ship patrolled and performed its duty in the water area in accordance with law and monitored from start to end the Philippine side’s activities.

It needs to be stressed that the South China Sea issue takes up only a small part of the overall China-ASEAN relations, which will not and should not disrupt the big picture. In recent years, thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has maintained overall stability and the freedom of navigation and overflight have been ensured in accordance with law. Against this backdrop, hyping up this issue will not help with resolving disputes. Instead, it will only undermine the mutual trust and cooperation among relevant parties. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, and the two sides have just jointly announced the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Amity and cooperation has been and will always be the theme of the China-ASEAN relationship. China remains committed to peaceful settlement of disputes through consultation and negotiation, and to working with ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.