April 28, 2023

After two Philippine coast guard vessels intruded into the waters off the Ren'ai Reef without Chinese permission and deliberately made provocative moves, Chinese coast guard vessels safeguarded China's territorial sovereignty and maritime order, in accordance with the law, and took measures to avoid the dangerous approach of the Philippine vessels and avoid a collision, according to a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mao Ning, the spokesperson, said that the two Philippine vessels barged into the waters off the Ren'ai Reef, a ring reef among China's Nansha Islands on April 23. The Chinese coast guard vessels' response was professional and restrained.

The Philippine Coast Guard has said two of its vessels were involved in a "confrontation" with the Chinese navy in the South China Sea and accused the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) of engaging in "dangerous maneuvers," according to media reports on Friday.

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