China pledges more resolute countermeasures against provocations from Philippines

BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of National Defense on Thursday pledged more resolute countermeasures against rights-violating acts, provocations and propaganda from the Philippines.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the ministry, made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to recent statements from the Philippine Coast Guard about the sovereignty of certain waters in the South China Sea.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters," Jiang said.

Calling the so-called South China Sea Arbitral Award "entirely illegal, null and void," Jiang said that China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award.

Driven by self-interest, some forces of the Philippine side have gone to great lengths to stir up troubles at sea and fabricate false narratives, disrupting bilateral relations and undermining regional peace and stability, he said.

"The Chinese side is unwavering in our will to defend territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," he added.