(21 Dec 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beijing - 21 December 2023
1. Wide of news conference
2. Wide of journalists
3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“The China-Philippines relationship now stands at a crossroads, with its future yet to be decided. The Philippine side must act with caution.”
4. Close of journalists
5. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“We hope the Philippine side will make a rational decision, follow the effective way of getting along with neighbors, and work together with China to properly manage and control the current situation in the South China Sea.”
6. Wide of journalists
7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“We firmly oppose the relevant Ukrainian agency adding the Chinese company to the list and demand Ukraine to immediately correct its mistakes and eliminate the negative impact.”
8. Mid of journalists
9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“We urge the U.S. to abide by rules of WTO (World Trade Organization), maintain a level-playing field for trade, and provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from all countries. China will closely follow the developments and take measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests when necessary.”
10. Wide of news conference
STORYLINE:
China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday called on the Philippines to make a “rational decision” and get along with its neighbors amid a dispute over sovereignty in the South China Sea that could involve U.S. forces defending their treaty partner.
At a daily news briefing, the ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin briefed reporters about a phone conversation between the Chinese and Philippine foreign ministers on Wednesday.
Wang quoted Foreign Minister Wang Yi as saying that “the China-Philippines relationship now stands at a crossroads, with its future yet to be decided. The Philippine side must act with caution.”
During his call with Foreign Minister Enrique A. Manalo, Wang Yi warned that "if the Philippine side misjudges the situation, goes its own way, or even colludes with ill-intentioned external forces to continue to stir up troubles, China will defend its rights in accordance with law and respond resolutely.”
At the briefing, Wang reiterated China’s stance of resolving disputes with the Philippines through dialogue remained unchanged and called on Manila to “work together with China to properly manage and control the current situation in the South China Sea.”
The comments follow China’s mobilization of its coast guard and maritime militia to block Philippine supply missions to support its soldiers and fishermen.
China claims sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, one of the world's most crucial waterways for shipping, putting it at odds with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, who all maintain claims over islands, reefs and undersea resources in the region.
Separately, Wang expressed opposition to Ukraine’s inclusion of a Chinese state-owned company in its list of war sponsors, urging Ukraine to “immediately correct its mistakes and eliminate the negative impact.”
That remark comes after China Railway Construction Corporation, the second-largest state-owned construction company in the country, reportedly sealed a deal with Russia to build an underwater tunnel to connect Russia with Crimea.
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