Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs

www.imoa.ph

China never allows Philippines to seize Ren’ai Reef: FM spokesman

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March 31, 2014

Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre, China, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute

BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) — A Foreign Ministry spokesman said here on Saturday that China will never allow the Philippines to occupy the Ren’ai Reef off China’s Nansha Islands in any form.

Hong Lei, the spokesman, made the remarks in a written statement in response to the Philippines’ action of sending a supply ship to the Ren’ ai Reef with journalists on board on Saturday.

He said the Philippines’ action was aimed to hype up the South China Sea issue, so as to serve its attempt to illegally seize the Ren’ai Reef.

The Philippines’ action can not change the fact that China owns sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Ren’ai Reef, and can not shake China’s resolve to safeguard its national sovereignty, said the spokesman.