Overview
- The Philippine National Maritime Council said China’s "persistent illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive" activities caused recent tensions and rejected claims that Manila stages provocations.
- China’s embassy in Manila dismissed the council’s statement as unfounded, accused the Philippines of trying to change the status quo, and said China has been compelled to take necessary measures.
- The embassy advanced a legal argument that the Philippines misuses UNCLOS concepts, asserted China’s 2006 Article 298 declaration excludes certain arbitration, and called Manila’s arbitration effort null and void.
- Beijing listed alleged Philippine actions, including the 1999 grounding at Ren’ai Jiao, a months‑long 2024 anchoring by BRP Teresa Magbanua at Xianbin Jiao, reported landings on uninhabited features in early 2025, and a December 12, 2025 vessel intrusion.
- While saying it is ready for candid dialogue, the embassy criticized Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela for what it described as misleading narratives about the South China Sea.