China won't 'close door to dialogue and contact' with the Philippines over South China Sea disputes

(19 Dec 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beijing - 19 December 2023
1. Wide of news conference
2. Mid of journalists
3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“Recent incidents between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea were entirely caused by the Philippines' deliberate provocation and its infringement on China’s sovereignty, and the responsibility completely lies with the Philippines. China firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Meanwhile, we believe that maritime differences are not the entirety of China-Philippines relations. China is willing to properly manage differences through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines and will not close the door for dialogue and contact with it.”
4. Journalists
5. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“We hope that relevant parties in Myanmar will step up the implementation of the agreements and consensuses that have been reached, exercise maximum restraint, take the initiative to ease the situation on the ground, manage and control emergencies promptly, and jointly promote a soft landing of the situation in northern Myanmar.”
6. Journalists
7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“China has always firmly opposed the United States’ frequent dispatch of ships and aircraft to China’s surrounding waters and airspace for close reconnaissance. We urge the U.S. to correct its dangerous practices that threaten and undermine China’s security and increase the risk of regional conflicts.”
8. Wide of journalists
9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“Hong Kong follows the rule of law. Any law in Hong Kong must be observed and those who break the law must be held accountable. Jimmy Lai is a major mastermind and participant of the anti-China riots in Hong Kong. He is an agent and pawn of the anti-China forces and the person behind the riots in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong law enforcement and judicial authorities have handled and tried the case in accordance with the law. This is fully justified, legitimate and lawful. Attempts to smear, disturb and sabotage Hong Kong’s national security law will not succeed.”
10. Wide of news conference


STORYLINE:
China on Tuesday said it would “not close the door for dialogue and contact” with the Philippines after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed concerns over his country’s engagement with Beijing on the South China Sea.

Marcos told Japanese media on Saturday that the Philippines’ diplomatic efforts with Beijing were heading “in a poor direction” and yielded little progress in settling their maritime disputes.

Asked about the remark at a daily news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin blamed the Philippines for the recent escalation of situations in disputed waters but said “maritime differences are not the entirety of China-Philippines relations.”

“China is willing to properly manage differences through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines,” Wang added.

Earlier this month, the Philippines lambasted a high-seas assault by the Chinese coast guard that repeatedly blasted water cannons to block three Philippine fisheries vessels from a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.


China has earlier announced that the two sides had reached an agreement on a cease-fire at meetings it had brokered.





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