China's Defense Ministry vows forceful countermeasures against 'sea-troubling provocations'
国防部：中国军队坚决反制任何闹海挑衅图谋
China's Ministry of National Defense stated on August 7 that the People's Liberation Army would deliver 'resolute and forceful countermeasures' against any attempts to stir trouble at sea. Spokesperson Chen Xi made the remarks in response to a query about Philippine actions concerning Scarborough Shoal, including Manila's submission of an 'official nautical chart' to the United Nations. Chen characterized the Philippine moves as a serious infringement on China's territorial sovereignty and a violation of international law, while presenting recent joint military drills and coast guard law-enforcement exercises by China as legitimate and necessary warnings.
The view from inside
The statement is framed entirely as a defense of territorial integrity under international law. The key phrase '闹海挑衅' (nào hǎi tiǎo xìn, literally 'making disturbances at sea and provoking') is deployed to cast…
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