At the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s regular news conference on April 3, spokesperson Wang Wenbin, commented on rising tensions between the Philippines and China, saying:

“The Philippines keeps accusing China of ‘intimidating smaller countries’ without mentioning at all the Philippine occupation and encroachment on China’s territory in Nansha Qundao. That is a real propaganda ‘trap.’ The Ren’ai Jiao issue is not a case of the big bullying small but unfulfilled promises and deliberate provocations…”

The comment came amid growing tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

He added, “The Philippines has been pursuing selfish gains at the expense of the consensus reached by countries in the region. This is the main reason why the situation in the South China Sea has escalated and become more complicated.”

That is false.

First, it is worth noting the instances documented by the Philippines coast guard and independent media of China’s gray zone activities and aggressive actions toward Philippine vessels. For instance, on April 4, Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine coast guard, reported that China’s coast guard used water cannons to threaten two Filipino fishing ships. China has also used collision and ramming tactics, undersea barriers and a military-grade laser, to stop Philippine resupply and patrol missions.

In addition, there is no official “promise” between the Philippines and China. China has alluded to a supposed gentleman’s agreement established between China and former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. #factcheck #voanews

https://www.polygraph.info/a/7567990....

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