South China Sea Coast Guard Military Diplomacy

China Will Continue to Conduct Rights-protection and Law-enforcement Operations in Waters Adjacent to Ren'ai Jiao

China Military Online (EN) 14 August 2026

Summary

MND spokesperson Senior Colonel Chen Xi, at an August 14 press conference, rejected a joint Philippines-Australia defense ministers' statement expressing concern over China Coast Guard actions at Ren'ai Jiao (Second Thomas Shoal), reaffirmed China's sovereignty claim over the feature as part of Nansha Qundao, and stated the CCG will continue rights-protection and law-enforcement operations there. The statement repeats the standing demand that Manila remove BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) and frames Australian involvement as illegitimate interference. The article documents Beijing's public posture toward third-party alignment with the Philippines but does not indicate whether CCG operational tempo at the shoal has changed.

Translation

BEIJING, August 14 -- "Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao and an inherent territory of China. Whatever the Philippine side says or does cannot change this fact," said Senior Colonel Chen Xi, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), at a press conference on Friday. It is reported that the Philippines and Australia held the Defense Ministers' Meeting and issued a joint statement, expressing "serious concern" over recent actions taken by the China Coast Guard at Ren'ai Jiao. In the statement, they also urged all parties to operate "professionally and safely". In response, the spokesperson stressed that China firmly opposes the unfounded accusations and smears made by the Philippines and Australia. "Regarding the Philippine side's deliberate provocations and attacks on the Chinese personnel at Ren'ai Jiao, the China Coast Guard has issued a statement and released evidence. The Chinese side took necessary countermeasures, which were professional, restrained and beyond reproach," said the spokesperson. Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasized that the Philippine side should remove the illegally grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) as soon as possible. "The Chinese side will continue to conduct rights-protection and law enforcement activities to thwart any violations or provocations and safeguard China's national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge relevant countries to stop peddling false narratives, provoking confrontation and undermining regional peace and stability," the spokesperson noted.

Original text

BEIJING, August 14 -- "Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao and an inherent territory of China. Whatever the Philippine side says or does cannot change this fact," said Senior Colonel Chen Xi, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), at a press conference on Friday. It is reported that the Philippines and Australia held the Defense Ministers' Meeting and issued a joint statement, expressing "serious concern" over recent actions taken by the China Coast Guard at Ren'ai Jiao. In the statement, they also urged all parties to operate "professionally and safely". In response, the spokesperson stressed that China firmly opposes the unfounded accusations and smears made by the Philippines and Australia. "Regarding the Philippine side's deliberate provocations and attacks on the Chinese personnel at Ren'ai Jiao, the China Coast Guard has issued a statement and released evidence. The Chinese side took necessary countermeasures, which were professional, restrained and beyond reproach," said the spokesperson. Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasized that the Philippine side should remove the illegally grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) as soon as possible. "The Chinese side will continue to conduct rights-protection and law enforcement activities to thwart any violations or provocations and safeguard China’s national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge relevant countries to stop peddling false narratives, provoking confrontation and undermining regional peace and stability," the spokesperson noted.