On Aug. 14 Ministry of National Defense spokesman Colonel Chen Xi said China
will continue rights-protection law-enforcement operations in waters near Ren'ai
Reef. He rejected Philippine and Australian accusations after their defense
ministers issued a joint statement expressing "serious concern" about recent
China Coast Guard actions at the reef. The coast guard has published what
Beijing says is evidence of a Philippine deliberate provocation and an attack on
Chinese personnel; China says it took necessary, professional and restrained
measures. Chen reiterated Ren'ai Reef is part of China’s Nansha (Spratly)
Islands and called on the Philippines to remove the illegally grounded vessel
No.57. Beijing urged other states to stop hyping and stoking confrontation and
to refrain from damaging regional peace and stability.
