China defends action towards Filipino boats in disputed sea

Beijing said Wednesday that China Coast Guard's action towards Filipino boats "intruding" into the South China Sea was professional and restrained, and aimed at stopping their illegal "resupply mission," state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks at a news briefing in Beijing when asked to confirm the Philippine military's claim earlier in the day that the Chinese Coast Guard boarded Filipino boats in the disputed South China Sea and seized guns from Filipino soldiers on Monday. "What directly led to this situation is the Philippines' ignoring of China's dissuasion and deliberate intrusion into the waters of Ren'ai Jiao (Second Thomas Shoal), which is part of China's Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands)," Lin said. Noting that the law enforcement action taken by China Coast Guard on the scene was professional and restrained and aimed at stopping the illegal "resupply mission", Lin stressed that China Coast Guard didn't take direct measures against the Philippine personnel. Urging the Philippines to stop its infringement and provocation at once, Lin said China will continue to defend its sovereignty and lawful rights and interests. Source: Kuwait News Agency