Philippines keeps interfering in China’s investigations in Xianbin Jiao: official report

The Philippines has been repeatedly interfering with the normal operation of China's investigation team from May to July at Xianbin Jiao of Nansha Islands, according to a report released on Friday.

From May 7 to 19, the Chinese investigation team faced constant monitoring and disruption by the Filipino side. Throughout the investigation, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel coded 9701 has been illegally anchored in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao and dispatched two small boats daily to monitor and interfere with the investigation operations.

"On May 12, the Philippines sent two steel speedboats to replace the rubber ones. They also deployed divers twice to disrupt our underwater operations. The Chinese coast guard responded promptly to safeguard our investigation," said Xiong Xiaofei, a senior engineer at the South China Sea Ecology Center of China's Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Filipino vessel entered the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao without permission and has been there since April, which seriously infringes on China's sovereignty, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and threatens peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The Philippines’ actions have also caused damage to nearby waters and environment, said Xiong.

"Under the influence of waves and currents, their ship's anchors and chains are persistently harming the nearby reefs. Additionally, their speedboats have been consistently active around the reef bed, and we've discovered Filipino-labeled litter in the ship's anchorage area. To comprehensively assess the impact of Ship 9701 on the local coral reef ecosystem, a close-up inspection is necessary," said Xiong.

Philippines keeps interfering in China’s investigations in Xianbin Jiao: official report

Philippines keeps interfering in China’s investigations in Xianbin Jiao: official report

Philippines keeps interfering in China’s investigations in Xianbin Jiao: official report

Philippines keeps interfering in China’s investigations in Xianbin Jiao: official report

Philippines keeps interfering in China’s investigations in Xianbin Jiao: official report

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has reliable means and strong capability to defeat any desperate resistance of the "Taiwan independence" armed forces, China's Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Saturday.

The spokesman made the remarks in response to a media query concerning the recent remarks by the Taiwan region's defense authority that the PLA, limited by the natural geographical environment of the Taiwan Strait, ill-equipped landing vehicles and insufficient logistics capability, has not yet fully acquired the regular combat capability to launch a full attack on Taiwan.

"The DPP authorities' statement is ridiculous and self-deceptive. The complete national reunification is where the arc of history bends and an irresistible trend that no one or no force can hold it back. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has reliable means to turn a deep chasm into a thoroughfare, has the strong capability to defeat any stubborn resistance of the 'Taiwan independence' armed forces, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said the spokesman.

PLA able to defeat any resistance of "Taiwan independence" armed forces: spokesman