Tension in the South China Sea has recently flared up again. On August 5, two Philippine supply ships, one carrying construction materials, attempted to reinforce and repair the Philippine Navy transport ship BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting vessel that was deliberately stranded on China’s Ren’ai Jiao in 1999. The Chinese side was made to respond to this provocative move, and China Coast Guard took warning measures in accordance with the law.
Ren’ai Jiao has always been part of China’s Nansha Qundao (Islands), and China’s position on it is consistent and firm, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said on August 8. China has always stayed committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, the spokesperson stressed, adding, “Regrettably, the Philippines, in
