The Philippines on Saturday withdrew its coast guard ship MRRV-9701 that been illegally anchored at China's Xianbin Jiao for several months, a China Coast Guard spokesperson said on Sunday, while photos from the scene showed signs of a partially repaired hole on the side of the vessel.
According to China Coast Guard spokesperson spokesperson Liu Dejun, the Philippine coast guard ship had been unlawfully stationed at China's Xianbin Jiao for nearly five months since April 17, which seriously violated China's territorial sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and gravely undermined regional peace and stability.
The vessel even intentionally collided with a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship carrying normal law enforcement activities in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao on Aug 31. Liu said the responsibility for this incident lies entirely with the Philippine side.
The damage on vessel 9701 was not properly repaired following that collision, with photos taken from a Chinese vessel showing a patched-up hole on the hull of the Philippines' ship when the vessel withdrew at around 14:00 on Saturday.
Liu said during its illegal stay in the lagoon, China implemented control measures on vessel 9701 in accordance with the law, which foiled the Philippines' multiple attempts to resupply the vessel.
"We would like to make it clear to the Philippines that it should stop the media hype and refrain from carrying out any risky infringement," said Liu.
Photo shows partially repaired hull as Philippines vessel withdraws after illegal stay in Xianbin Jiao
Photo shows partially repaired hull as Philippines vessel withdraws after illegal stay in Xianbin Jiao
Photo shows partially repaired hull as Philippines vessel withdraws after illegal stay in Xianbin Jiao
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a non-binding resolution on Wednesday demanding an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory within the next 12 months by an overwhelming margin.
The resolution was adopted with 124 votes in favor, 14 against and 43 abstentions, during the UNGA's 10th emergency special session considering Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The resolution demanding that Israel comply with all its legal obligations under international law, including advisory opinions by the International Court of Justice, was introduced by the State of Palestine on Tuesday and was co-sponsored by more than two dozen nations.
By the newly adopted resolution, the UNGA "demands that Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility and do so no later than 12 months from the adoption of the present resolution."
The UNGA also demands that Israel comply without delay with all its legal obligations under international law, including as stipulated by the International Court of Justice.
In remarks before the vote, Mohamed Issa Abushahab, the permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, said the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza must be addressed through unimpeded access to those in need, a ceasefire deal and the full implementation of all related Security Council resolutions.
A credible peace process must be relaunched to work towards a two-State solution to diffuse this conflict, he said, expressing support for the State of Palestine's full statehood and UN membership. "The time has come to end the suffering," he noted.
Introducing the draft resolution on Tuesday, Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, called for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He said the Palestinian people have been steadfast in the pursuit of their inalienable rights, just like all other citizens worldwide who seek self-determination.
"The Palestinians want to live, not survive -- they want to be safe in their homes, they want their children to go to school without fear. They want to be free in reality as they are in spirit," said Mansour.
UNGA calls for end to Israeli occupation in Palestine within a year
UNGA calls for end to Israeli occupation in Palestine within a year
