Chinese embassy calls out US for ‘groundless accusations’

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Friday called out the United States for its “groundless accusations” following the recent aggression by a China Coast Guard vessel in the Bajo de Masinloc in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

“The US ambassador to the Philippines overlooked basic facts and made groundless accusations against China's legitimate measures for protecting its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” a spokesman for the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

The Chinese embassy made a statement after the US and other nations earlier expressed concern after CCG launched water cannons and rammed a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson condemned China’s  "unlawful use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers,"adding that such action put “lives at risk.”

But China remained firm that Huangyan Dao, Beijing’s name for Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, was part of its territory. 

“China took necessary actions in response to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law. The measures are justified, lawful, professional and restrained,” the embassy said. 

Further, the Chinese embassy said that the US has no right to interfere in the dispute between the Philippines and China. 

“The United States and those allies are not parties to the issue of the South China Sea and have no right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines,” the statement said. 

“We urge these countries to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop sowing discord and adding fuel to the fire, and stop being troublemakers for peace and stability in the South China Sea.” 

GMA Integrated News reached out to the US Embassy for a comment. 

The latest aggression by China triggered the Philippine government to file another diplomatic protest. 

The Philippines has filed 60 diplomatic protests against China this year and 193 since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has not recognized the decision. —NB, GMA Integrated News