Ministry of National Defense: The Philippines' Self-Directed Farce Cannot Shake China's Firm Resolve to Safeguard Rights According to Law

People’s Financial News, March 18 — On the afternoon of March 18, Deputy Director of the Ministry of National Defense News Bureau and spokesperson Jiang Bin issued a statement regarding recent military-related issues.
Reporter: According to reports, on March 7, a Philippine Coast Guard reconnaissance aircraft, carrying media reporters, patrolled near Huangyan Island and was radioed and driven away by Chinese warships. Additionally, the Philippine Coast Guard stated it would strengthen patrols in the South China Sea and expand public outreach to continuously enhance “transparency” and counter China’s bullying behavior. What is your comment on this?
Jiang Bin: China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea, including Huangyan Island, and the surrounding waters, with rights and jurisdiction. It is entirely legitimate for China to carry out law enforcement activities within its own territorial waters. Regarding the Philippine Coast Guard’s infringement and harassment, China responds with professionalism, restraint, and legality. Using patrols as a pretext to bring reporters, shoot videos, deliberately provoke incidents, and amplify the “victim” narrative through media is a routine script used by the Philippines. The so-called “transparency” and “exposure” claimed by the Philippines do not reveal the truth but are self-directed and self-produced farces.
We sternly warn the Philippines that no matter how they edit footage or fabricate lies, they cannot change the sovereignty of Huangyan Island and other South China Sea islands and reefs, nor shake China’s firm resolve to defend its rights according to law. We will continue to take effective measures to respond to all acts of infringement and provocation.