<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-08-29/China-Coast-Guard-urges-Manila-to-withdraw-ship-from-Xianbin-Jiao-1wsW1mc0thK/img/e1ed826b103d48f5ba866ea35d53ea33/e1ed826b103d48f5ba866ea35d53ea33.png' alt='An aerial view of China's Nansha Qundao. /CFP
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China Coast Guard (CCG) on Thursday urged the Philippines to immediately withdraw its coast guard ship, which is illegally staying in Xianbin Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao, and stop any actions that try to replenish the vessel.
CCG spokesperson Gan Yu said the Chinese side followed and monitored a Philippine H-145 helicopter airdropping supplies to the Philippine Coast Guard ship 9701 on Wednesday, the latest in a string of attempts by Manila to try to infringe on Chinese territory in the name of humanitarianism.
“The Philippines’ risky actions could very easily lead to accidents at sea and in the air,” Gan said, noting that the Philippine side is gambling on the health and safety of the crew when its ship is functioning and capable of independently leaving and returning to a Philippine port at any time.
“We warn the Philippine side to immediately stop its risky actions and hype-up, immediately withdraw the ship by itself and refrain from misjudging the situation or escalating the situation; otherwise, all consequences arising therefrom will be fully borne by the Philippine side,” Gan said.
China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Xianbin Jiao, and their adjacent waters, Gan reiterated, adding that the CCG is on full alert and fully prepared to firmly safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
According to CCG, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, coded 9701, entered the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao without permission and has been there since April.
