China urges Philippines to immediately stop infringement, provocation on Ren'ai Reef issue

China on Friday urged the Philippines to immediately cease its infringement and provocations as the Financial Times reported that the Philippine military has in recent months secretly carried out a mission to reinforce a dilapidated military vessel grounded at Ren'ai Reef to extend its service life.

Relevant reports once again prove that the Philippines' claim that it only resupplies the grounded military vessel at Ren'ai Reef with living supplies is a complete lie, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a daily news briefing.

China has said multiple times that the Philippines have been transporting construction materials, and even weapons and ammunition, to the illegally grounded vessel in an attempt to conduct large-scale repairs and reinforcements to achieve permanent occupation of Ren'ai Reef.

Lin called the military vessel an irrefutable evidence of the Philippines' long-term infringement and provocation against China in the South China Sea, of its violation of the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and of its destruction of the ecological environment in the South China Sea.

Remaining firm in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Lin said China will not accept the Philippine's actions that seriously infringe upon its sovereignty, and will resolutely response in accordance with the law and regulations.

He urged Manila to cease provocations and return to the correct path of managing differences through dialogue and consultation at an early time.