Southern Theater Command spokesperson Zhai Shichen issued a statement on the Philippine Navy vessels’ dangerous near-approach to our waters

南部战区新闻发言人翟士臣海军大校表示，3月25日，中国人民解放军海军532舰位中国南沙群岛渚碧礁附近管辖海域例行开展巡航活动，中方舰艇发现菲方舰艇后，对其喊话提醒。菲507号舰不顾中方反复喊话提醒，位中方532舰左舷持续向右调整航向航行，蓄意向右转向，危险接近中方532舰，干扰我正常巡航活动。中方532舰采取专业、规范操作，有效规避意外事件发生。菲方舰艇操作不安全、不专业，极易引发海上意外事件。不仅如此，菲方还反咬一口，诬称中方舰艇“危险接近”。我们正告菲方严格管控海空兵力活动，立即停止挑衅冒险行为和抹黑炒作。战区部队始终保持高度戒备，坚决捍卫国家领土主权安全和南海地区和平稳定。

Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command stated, on March 25, PLANS 532 was conducting a routine patrol in the waters under China’s jurisdiction near Zhubi Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao. Upon detecting a Philippine Navy ship, PLANS 532 initiated radio communications to remind the Philippine ship. Ignoring repeated radio reminders from the Chinese side, the Philippine ship 507,  navigating on the port side of PLANS 532, adjusted its course to the starboard side before making a deliberate turn to the same direction, dangerously approaching PLANS 532 and disrupting its navigation. PLANS 532 then took professional and standardized moves, successfully avoiding an accident.The operation of the Philippine Navy ship was unsafe and unprofessional, which could have easily led to a maritime accident. Worse still, the Philippine side made a false accusation, claiming that the Chinese ship made a “dangerous approach”. We sternly urge the Philippine side to strictly control operations of its maritime and air troops, immediately cease all provocative and risky acts, as well as its smear campaigns and propaganda. The troops of the Southern Theater Command remain on high alert at all times and will resolutely defend China’s territorial sovereignty, security, and peace and stability in the South China Sea.

南部战区发布

主编：汪尚建  编审：张姝琪  责编：周自航

刊期：第 5236 期