The Philippines claims China fired interference flares at its government aircraft, and China responded by emphasizing that its countermeasures are reasonable and lawful.

Philippines "Complains": China Fired Interference Bombs at Us

Philippines is once again accusing the other party first.

According to a report from the Philippine media, "The Daily Inquiry," on the 7th, Jay Tarela, a spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, claimed that on the 6th, the Chinese military fired three interference bombs at an official Philippine aircraft that was carrying out a "patrol mission" near a certain island reef in the South China Sea. However, the interference did not affect the Philippine aircraft, and the Philippines still completed the mission.

The Philippine media quoted a Philippine official's statement saying that the incident occurred near Zhuyu Reef, but this official did not disclose how close the Chinese interference bombs were to the Philippine aircraft at that time.

This accusation by the Philippine Coast Guard is nothing more than a baseless false accusation. Let us ask: if it were not for the repeated incursions of Philippine aircraft near China's South China Sea islands and reefs, would the Chinese side have taken necessary countermeasures, such as firing interference bombs to warn and drive away the planes?

Zhuyu Reef is part of China's Nansha Islands, and has been Chinese territory since ancient times. Therefore, the Chinese side's use of interference bombs to drive away the Philippine provocative aircraft is a necessary countermeasure against the Philippine infringement actions, fully in line with international law and international practice.

In contrast, in recent years, the Philippines has repeatedly sent ships and aircraft to intrude into China's South China Sea islands and reefs. This is an organized and premeditated provocation, not only challenging China's territorial sovereignty, but also threatening the peace and stability of the South China Sea.

Moreover, after each provocation, the Philippines is especially eager to play the role of a "victim," using the Western media's dominance to smear China, exposing the real intention of the Philippines, which is to take advantage of U.S. support to gradually erode Chinese territory.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1850830826496075/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.