China lodges solemn representations over Philippines' provocation at Ren'ai Reef

China lashed out at the Philippines on Tuesday over a clash at a reef in the South China Sea.

Following reports that Philippine personnel clashed with Chinese law enforcers near Ren'ai Reef on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China strongly condemned Manila's provocative actions and rejected its "distorted" accounts of the incident.

According to Lin, as personnel from China's Coast Guard were carrying out regular law enforcement operations near Ren'ai Reef on Monday, personnel from a Philippine vessel that has been illegally grounded there dispatched two small boats and rammed into a Chinese vessel before violently assaulting the personnel onboard.

"China was compelled to respond resolutely in accordance with the law," he added.

Lin accused Manila of distorting facts afterward and hyping the incident. 

"China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this," Lin said, noting that Beijing had lodged solemn representations with the Philippine ambassador to China on Tuesday morning.

Lin insisted that Ren'ai Reef, as a part of China's Nansha Islands, is an inherent part of the country's territory. He added that the Philippines has never honored its commitment to tow away the warship that ran aground on the Nansha Islands in 1999 and that has remained there illegally since.

China's determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is unshakable, Lin said.

He urged the Philippines to honor its promises, immediately stop maritime provocations and groundless hype, and effectively restrain its frontline personnel. Otherwise, the Philippines shall bear the consequences, he warned.