China has demanded the Philippines to immediately withdraw its illegally anchored ship from Xianbin Jiao, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday.
Mao made the remarks in response to a press query about the intrusion of a Philippine vessel into Xianbin Jiao.
"First of all, Xianbin Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao. On August 31, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, which has been illegally anchoring in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao for weeks now, acted unprofessionally and dangerously by deliberately ramming China Coast Guard vessel which was there to safeguard China's sovereignty and lawful rights, resulting in the collision of the vessels. The Chinese side responded with necessary measures in accordance with the law, which was fully justified, lawful and beyond reproach. The Philippines' moves gravely infringe upon China's sovereignty and violate international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)," said Mao.
"China asks the Philippines to immediately withdraw the vessel illegally anchored in the lagoon, and stop infringement activities and provocations at once. China will continue to take resolute measures in accordance with law to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and uphold the sanctity and effectiveness of the DOC. Meanwhile, we are ready to maintain dialogue and communication with the Philippines through diplomatic channels to properly address relevant issues and put the maritime situation under control," said Mao.
China demands Philippines to immediately withdraw vessel from Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao
The ongoing Israeli offensives against the Gaza Strip have killed 41,182 Palestinians and injured another 95,200, according to data released by the Gaza-based health authorities on Saturday.
In the past 48 hours alone, the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have resulted in 64 deaths and 155 injuries, the health authorities added.
In the early hours of Saturday, an Israeli warplane struck a residential house in the al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City, according to the Palestinian civil defense authorities.
The airstrike killed at least 11 Palestinians, including several women and children, the authorities said.
A statement issued by the Israeli military said that the airstrike targeted a Hamas commander.
The Israeli military also launched two bombings near schools sheltering displaced people - one in the northwestern part of Gaza City and another in southeastern Gaza City - resulting in 10 deaths.
However, the Israeli military has only acknowledged the latter strike, claiming that several Hamas militants were hiding in the school.
According to local sources and eyewitnesses, many people were killed in an Israeli shelling of a tent housing displaced people in the al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis City in the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army has not yet commented on these incidents.
On Saturday, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation order via social media after two rockets were fired from Gaza towards the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.
In his evacuation order, Adraee called on Palestinians in parts of Beit Lahia, a northern city near the Gaza-Israel border, to evacuate, saying that the designated area is "currently considered a dangerous combat zone."
Also on Saturday, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning Israel's evacuation of Palestinians from the northern Gaza Strip as a dangerous act.
The ministry claimed that Israel's actions are a prelude to the annexation of Gaza's territory and establishment of Israeli settlements.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 41,182
