Chinese Coast Guard Provides Humanitarian Assistance to Injured Crew of Illegally Stranded Vessels Transferred by Philippine Coast Guard

On the morning of October 8, around 7 a.m., the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 illegally intruded into the waters near the Ren'ai Reef in the Spratly Islands of China. The Chinese Coast Guard vessel repeatedly inquired about the purpose of navigation in accordance with the law, but the Philippine side did not respond and continued to intrude. After warnings through loudspeakers proved ineffective, the Chinese Coast Guard took lawful measures such as using warning water cannons to implement effective control.

△ The Chinese Coast Guard law enforcement forces monitor the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 in accordance with the law

△ The Chinese Coast Guard law enforcement forces implement warning water cannon spraying in accordance with the law

After being effectively controlled by our Coast Guard forces on-site, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel attempted to continue illegally intruding into the waters near Ren'ai Reef under the pretext of rescuing injured personnel from the "BRP Sierra Madre" vessel that had run aground on the Ren'ai Reef.

Out of humanitarian considerations, the Chinese side promptly agreed to allow the Philippine side to transfer the injured personnel using small boats. Throughout the process, the Chinese Coast Guard law enforcement forces operated reasonably, lawfully, and professionally, repeatedly inquiring whether humanitarian assistance was needed and providing necessary conveniences such as navigation protection.

△ The Chinese Coast Guard dispatched a small boat to guide the Philippine small boat

During the transfer process, the Philippine side repeatedly delayed the so-called "rescue operation" citing reasons such as "insufficient fuel to launch the small boat" and "small boat malfunction," while the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 attempted to illegally intrude into the waters near Ren'ai Reef again, causing repeated delays in the transfer process.

△ The Philippine side used small boats to transfer the injured personnel

The Chinese Coast Guard forces on-site cited the statement made by the spokesperson of the Philippine Armed Forces, Trinidad, on September 30, regarding the "sufficient supplies on the BRP Sierra Madre," and effectively rebutted the frequent activities of Philippine small boats over the past two weeks. After more than four hours, under our full control, the Philippine small boats successfully completed the personnel transfer as required.

△ The Philippine side used small boats to transfer the injured personnel

The repeated delays by the Philippine side in the transfer operation further proved that they were not genuinely conducting humanitarian rescue, but rather testing the waters under the guise of "humanitarianism" while smuggling in their own agenda. The statements released by the Philippine side disregarded the facts, reversed black and white, and attempted to confuse the public.

After the transfer was completed, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 still lingered in the waters near the Ren'ai Reef and Xianbin Reef without any signs of returning to treat the injured personnel. The Chinese Coast Guard law enforcement forces maintained effective control in the relevant waters throughout.

It is understood that the Philippines has repeatedly promised to tow away the illegally "grounded" BRP Sierra Madre vessel at Ren'ai Reef, but has never fulfilled this promise. The personnel on board have long been conducting fishing operations and dumping garbage in the waters near Ren'ai Reef, severely damaging the marine ecological environment. The Chinese side, out of humanitarian considerations, has repeatedly reminded or provided necessary assistance. However, the Philippine side has "returned kindness with resentment," repeatedly inciting and exaggerating false content. China has indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, including Ren'ai Reef, and the waters nearby. The Chinese Coast Guard will continue to carry out law enforcement in accordance with the law in the waters under China's jurisdiction, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

(CCTV reporter Wang Shantao)