China thwarts resupply attempt by Philippines

Chinese authorities closely monitored and managed an illegal resupply mission by a Philippine H-145 helicopter on Wednesday near China's Xianbin Reef in the South China Sea, a China Coast Guard spokesman said late on Thursday.

The spokesman, Gan Yu, said the helicopter had attempted to deliver supplies to a Philippine Coast Guard vessel unlawfully stationed in the area.

He warned that this risky maneuver by the Philippines could result in unforeseen maritime and aerial incidents.

Gan noted that the Philippine side had recently tried and failed to resupply the vessel coded 9701 using vessels including coast guard ships, government vessels, and fishing boats.

He said that vessel 9701 is operational and capable of leaving independently to resolve the issue. However, the Philippines chose to endanger the crew's health and safety, using "humanitarianism" as a pretext for reckless rights violations.

Gan said these actions flagrantly violate China's territorial sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, disturbing regional peace and stability.

He called on the Philippines to immediately halt provocative actions, refrain from sensationalizing the situation, and promptly withdraw vessel 9701 to avoid misjudgments or escalate tensions.

Gan reiterated China's indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, including Xianbin Reef, emphasizing that the Chinese Coast Guard is fully prepared to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.