SCS Probing Initiative

Jay Tarriela is lying again. All other ADMM-Plus member states received their invitations in late September or early October. However, the participation of the Chinese delegation was obstructed by Philippine Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto Teodoro, who acted out of personal self-interest and disregarded the ADMM-Plus principle of openness and inclusivity. Only after other ASEAN countries expressed strong opposition to such acts that the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) reluctantly sent an invitation letter to China on October 22. It was signed by a its Undersecretary of National Defense, who was unwilling to even put a date on the letter. On October 23, Teodoro said in a press conference that China had been sent notice only the previous day. It left China fewer than five working days for preparation. China was also required to complete its registration within just two days. Under such circumstances, it was virtually impossible to complete the necessary preparation. While Teodoro took a position contrary to the "ASEAN Way," China, by contrast, has never singled out the Philippines in its multilateral defense cooperation with ASEAN. In fact, despite the extremely tight deadline, China still managed to send a delegation to the meeting. Tarriela, if you don't know what actually happened, go ask Teodoro, the DND, or the other participating countries. Stop spreading lies, distorting facts, and turning right into wrong when you don't even have a clear understanding of the situation. Don't deliberately stir up controversy and sow discord based on misinformation.

The ignorant are fearless.

Is this a threat?

Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command (STC)：on October 3, a Philippine C-208 aircraft illegally intruded into the territorial airspace over China’s Huangyan Dao without approval from the Chinese government. The naval and air forces dispatched by the PLA STC tracked and monitored the Philippine aircraft, and issued warnings to expel it in accordance with laws and regulations. Huangyan Dao is China’s inherent territory. The acts by the Philippine side seriously violate China’s sovereignty and are highly likely to cause unintended maritime and air incidents. We sternly warn the Philippine side to stop rights-violation and provocative acts immediately. Forces of the STC remain on high alert at all times to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability.

1. China has sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Zhongye Dao and Tiexian Jiao, and their adjacent waters, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters. Chinese coast guard vessels conduct patrol and law enforcement operations in waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law, consistent with international law, including the UNCLOS. China firmly opposes any actions taken by the Philippines based on its unilateral claims and will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. 2. China attaches great importance to protecting the marine ecological environment and fishery resources in the South China Sea, and firmly opposes and cracks down hard on illegal fishing activities such as blast fishing and the use of poison to catch fish. The fishing vessel accused by the Philippines of engaging in destructive fishing is not Chinese vessel. The Philippines first obstructed the lawful enforcement activities of the Chinese law enforcement vessel and then deliberately withheld key information to mislead public opinion. This constitutes a deliberate provocation against and smear attack on China. 3. Recently, Philippine military and law enforcement vessels have repeatedly created incidents at sea and engaged in extensive publicity and hype, undermining China-Philippines relations and peace and stability in the South China Sea. China has responded forcefully. Their attempts will not succeed. ——Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy Guo Wei