China warns Philippines against miscalculation, provocation

China urged the Philippine side not to have illusion and miscalculation and stop making any risky and futile provocations in the South China Sea, a defense spokesman said on Thursday.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in a news conference in Beijing in response to the recent comments and action by some Philippine politicians on the South China Sea issue.

According to media reports, the Philippine Coast Guard said it would send another ship to the Xianbin Reef after its vessel No 9701, which had illegally anchored in the Reef since April, left the region in mid-September.

In addition, the Philippine defense secretary reportedly claimed that if China removes the Philippine ship, which has illegally grounded at Ren'ai Reef in the South China Sea for 25 years, it would be an act of war.

Zhang said that pulling out the vessel No 9701 from the lagoon of Xianbin Reef is the "only right way forward" for the Philippine side and is conducive to restoring peace and stability in relevant waters.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters, including Ren'ai Reef and Xianbin Reef," he said. "We will take firm countermeasures against any act that infringes China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

Actions that violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and undermine regional peace and stability are not welcomed.

We urge the Philippine side not to have illusion and miscalculation and stop making any risky and futile provocations, said the spokesman.