China's Foreign Ministry said on Sept 18 that a Philippine government vessel
deliberately rammed a Chinese coast guard ship near Xianbin Reef in the Spratly
Islands, seriously endangering Chinese personnel and vessels and breaching
international law and basic norms of international relations. China urged the
Philippines to immediately stop maritime provocations and spreading false
narratives and said it will firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and
maritime rights while upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea.