China news agency, Beijing, May 15 (Reporter Liang Xiaohui) In response to the incident that five commercial fishing boats were sailing from the Philippines to the waters around Huangyan Island, Wang Wenbin, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, pointed out at a regular press conference on the 15th that if the Philippines abuses China's goodwill and infringes on China's territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, China will safeguard its rights and counter measures according to law.

A reporter asked that five commercial fishing boats and about 200 civilians sailed from the Philippines to the waters around Huangyan Island on the 15th. The organizer said that the purpose of this voyage was to safeguard their rights and interests over the disputed waterway. Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noticed this voyage? What is China's comment on him?

Wang Wenbin pointed out that Huangyan Island is an inherent territory of China, and China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its surrounding waters. In 2016, China made good faith arrangements for the normal fishing activities of a small number of Philippine small fishing vessels in the waters near Huangyan Island, and managed and supervised the activities of Philippine fishermen according to law.

"If the Philippines abuses China's goodwill and infringes on China's territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, China will safeguard its rights and counter measures in accordance with the law, and the Philippines will bear all relevant responsibilities and consequences." Wang Wenbin stressed. (End)