On-site evidence shows CCG thwart Philippine’s attempt to board Tiexian Reef

The latest video clip taken on-site has shown that Chinese law enforcement vessels thwarted Philippine sides' attempt to illegally board China's reef in the South China Sea.

Philippine vessels 3003 and 3004 entered the waters near the Tiexian Jiao (Tiexian Reef) of the Nansha Islands without the permission of the Chinese government on Friday. The vessels attempted to illegally land on the reef and conduct sand sampling. China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels lawfully obstructed the Philippine ships' course and warned them away, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said Friday. 

The following day, on Saturday, the CCG released the on-site evidence of this counteraction. The video shows that the Philippine vessel 3003 attempted to pass in front of the CCG vessel 4106, seriously disrupting the normal navigation operations of the CCG vessel. 

The Philippine vessel 3004 attempted to obstruct the CCG vessel 4106 in a dangerous manner and even tried to ram the vessel 4106 with its bow. The provocative actions of the Philippine side severely threatened the navigation safety of the CCG ship.

In response to the Philippine side's provocative attempt to illegally land on the reef by deploying a small boat, the CCG vessel also deployed an enforcement vessel to carry out targeted interception and control, thwarting the Philippine side's plot.

Liu said on Friday that China holds indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Tiexian Jiao, and the surrounding waters. The CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement activities to protect rights in waters under China's jurisdiction, firmly safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.