China warns the Philippines to withdraw from the disputed coral island 

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang urged the Philippines to withdraw from the disputed atoll of Sabina Shoal, or Xianbin Jiao in the local language, as the presence of its ships has created “new tensions” in the South China Sea.

The spokesman reiterated on Friday that China has “indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qondao area, including the Xianbin Jiao,” and that the illegally deployed vessels represent a serious violation of international agreements. 

He emphasized: We ask the Filipino side to immediately withdraw its personnel and ships and refrain from moving in the wrong direction.

Bilateral relations between Beijing and Manila have been strained, and China believes the archipelagic nation has repeatedly exceeded its maritime boundaries in areas that remain disputed.

America, which is afraid of the emergence of China as a revisionist player in the international system, has approached the Philippines and has held several joint exercises with Manila in the South China Sea. Beijing has called such actions provocative and called for the resolution of disputes with neighboring countries through dialogue. 

The South China Sea, with annual sea trade of 3 trillion dollars and huge oil and gas resources, is a place for competition among East Asian countries. In the meantime, Beijing, by claiming ownership of a large part of this sea, has faced East Asian countries that seek to cooperate with the United States to confront China.

Translator: Azam Purkand