Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs

www.imoa.ph

China gives ‘gentle reminder’ to PH, warns small nations

IMOA

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May 28, 2015

ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USA

MANILA – China gave the Philippines a ”gentle reminder” last Tuesday that Beijing will not bully small countries but warned these nations not to make trouble willfully and endlessly.

“Here is a gentle reminder to the Philippines: China will not bully small countries, meanwhile, small countries shall not make trouble willfully and endlessly. We hope that the Philippine side would stop instigation and provocation and come back to the right track of resolving issues through negotiation and consultation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also said that China would continue to build other civilian facilities on relevant maritime features in the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea after the groundbreaking ceremony for a lighthouse in a reclaimed area in the territory on Tuesday.

Hua was reacting to the announcement about the meeting of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin with US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter in Hawaii regarding China’s large-scale reclamation in the South China Sea and the prospect of China implementing an air defense identification zone in the area.