China Accuses Philippine Vessel of Ramming Coast Guard Ship Near Sabina Shoal

China's foreign ministry said on Friday that a Philippine government vessel deliberately rammed a China Coast Guard ship in waters near Xianbin Reef, known internationally as Sabina Shoal, in the Nansha Islands.

Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a briefing in Beijing that the incident occurred on the morning of 18 September and that the Philippine vessel was carrying out provocations in the disputed waters. He said the manoeuvre endangered the safety of Chinese personnel and ships and violated international law and basic norms governing international relations.

Guo called on Manila to halt what he described as maritime infringements and provocations, and to stop spreading what he called false narratives. He said China would continue to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and would work to preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea.

On trade, Guo was asked about a European Union call for China to limit hybrid vehicle exports to Europe to no more than 15 per cent. He referred the specific question to the competent Chinese authorities but stressed that China-EU economic and trade ties are mutually beneficial rather than a zero-sum contest.

He said open cooperation and the resolution of differences through equal dialogue and consultation serve the common interests of both sides. Guo added that China's electric vehicle industry supplies global consumers with high-quality, cost-effective products and contributes to the global green and low-carbon transition. He expressed hope that the EU would honour its commitments to market openness and free trade, abide by World Trade Organization rules and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment. China, he said, would closely monitor the EU's actions and take necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

Asked about a United States think tank report alleging that China had upgraded its military base in Djibouti, Guo said he was not aware of the report. He reiterated that China has been a defender of world peace and a contributor to global development, and said it would continue to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability on the principles of mutual benefit and equality.

On Japan, Guo was asked about commentary describing the security policies of the Takashi Sanae government as showing a dangerous trend of returning to the pre-war era, and about whether Japanese society is being enveloped by an atmosphere that downplays the seriousness of war. The question noted that 18 September marked the 95th anniversary of the September 18th incident.

Guo said denying acts of aggression challenges established historical conclusions and undermines the post-war international order. He urged Japan to face up to and deeply reflect on its history of aggression and to earn the trust of its Asian neighbours and the international community through concrete actions. Countries in the region, including China, must remain highly vigilant and never allow Japanese militarism to make a comeback or the tragedies of history to be repeated, he said, calling for joint efforts to uphold the outcomes of the victory of World War II and safeguard the bottom line of peace.

Guo also commented on the return of cultural relics, artworks and paleontological fossils from the United States. According to reports cited at the briefing, China's National Cultural Heritage Administration received two batches totalling 64 items returned by the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in Washington and New York this week. All had been seized by US law enforcement during their work.

Guo described the return as the latest achievement in implementing the consensus reached at the Beijing meeting between the two heads of state, and said it reflected broad prospects for building a constructive and stable China-US strategic relationship. He said the two countries should continue to move toward each other in the spirit of equality, respect and reciprocity and work together to reach more practical outcomes benefiting both countries and peoples.