China turned the tables on the Philippines Tuesday, April 17, after its embassy issued a statement blaming Philippine officials for aggravating the situation in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal.
Zhang Hua, spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the Philippines, made this statement days after the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Chinese activities that could contribute tension to the disputed territory.
Zhang said China has done its part in its agreement with the Philippines “not (to) do anything to complicate or aggravate the situation.” He said the Chinese fishing boats in Panatag Shoal left on April 13 to help ease the tension.
“However, the Philippine side hasn't withdrawn its ships,” he said, noting that boats remained in Panatag Shoal as of 2 pm Monday, April 16. Zhang also said Chinese authorities found an archaeological vessel conducting salvage archeology there – something that “infringes on China's rights, and violates relevant international conventions.”
“These above activities by the Philippine side raised further grave concerns of the Chinese side on the situation there,” Zhang said. "In accordance with relevant international conventions and Chinese laws, it is illegal to conduct salvage activities without the permission of the Chinese government,” he said.
“We urge the archeological vessel (to) leave the area immediately,” Zhang added. (www.rappler.com)
Zhang Hua, spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the Philippines, made this statement days after the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Chinese activities that could contribute tension to the disputed territory.
Zhang said China has done its part in its agreement with the Philippines “not (to) do anything to complicate or aggravate the situation.” He said the Chinese fishing boats in Panatag Shoal left on April 13 to help ease the tension.
“However, the Philippine side hasn't withdrawn its ships,” he said, noting that boats remained in Panatag Shoal as of 2 pm Monday, April 16. Zhang also said Chinese authorities found an archaeological vessel conducting salvage archeology there – something that “infringes on China's rights, and violates relevant international conventions.”
“These above activities by the Philippine side raised further grave concerns of the Chinese side on the situation there,” Zhang said. "In accordance with relevant international conventions and Chinese laws, it is illegal to conduct salvage activities without the permission of the Chinese government,” he said.
“We urge the archeological vessel (to) leave the area immediately,” Zhang added. (www.rappler.com)