Remarks of the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy Ji Lingpeng on Baseless Accusations of Certain Philippine Senior Official Q: It is reported that Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro recently accused China of engaging in “disruptive and aggressive” activities in the “West Philippine Sea”, saying that it is in “China’s DNA” and such actions have no legal basis and undermine the rules-based international order. He also attacked China on issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang (Tibet) . What is the embassy’s response? A: First, China’s position on the South China Sea is clear and consistent. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters, supported by extensive historical and legal evidence. China has always advocated resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation. We note the recent remarks by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma Theresa P. Lazaro, affirming the Philippines’ commitment to ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, stability, and cooperation. Second, history further shows that China has never been an aggressor but a force for regional stability. China’s early maritime explorations and peaceful engagement across the seas exemplify a long-standing tradition of peaceful exchange and cooperation rather than domination or expansion. These labels of “disruptive and aggressive” are better applied to colonial powers that engaged in conquest and exploitation rather than to China’s peaceful and cooperative interactions. Third, regarding the socalled “rules-based international order,” it is equally clear that its inconsistent application has been visible in many parts of the world, from Venezuela to Iran, from Gaza to Greenland, showing a gap between rhetoric and reality. Fourth, Xinjiang and Xizang (Tibet) have been inalienable parts of Chinese territory since ancient times. History cannot be altered. These matters are purely China’s internal affairs, and no country or individual has the right to interfere. Attempts by certain individuals to twist facts and spread false information are not only baseless but also represent crude interference in China’s internal affairs. In reality, Xinjiang and Xizang are characterized by social stability, economic development, ethnic unity, and improving living standards, visible facts that cannot be credibly denied. China stands ready to work with the Philippines to manage differences through sustained dialogue and resolve disputes through negotiation. This responsible approach best serves the fundamental interests of both peoples and contributes to peace and stability in the region.

In response to a question about the travel reminders issued by various Chinese departments—advising Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan—might affect many Chinese people and reduce people-to-people exchanges, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s erroneous remarks on Taiwan have seriously hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and severely undermined the atmosphere for #China-#Japan people-to-people exchanges. Japan should abide by the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, immediately correct its wrongful words and actions, and prevent further damage to China-Japan relations, Mao said.