Reports on cyanide use in WPS 'baseless', says Chinese embassy
China on Monday night dismissed as only "baseless allegation" and "sheer fabrication" the Philippines' report that Chinese fishermen are using cyanide to damage Scarborough Shoal.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila rejected yet another concern raised by the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea.
It also said that the Chinese government is putting great importance to the protection of ecological environment and conservation of fishery resources.
It has even taken resolute measures to crack down on any illegal fishing activities, it added.
"The allegation against Chinese fisherman is totally baseless and sheer fabrication. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters," the embassy said.
China claimed that the Philippines' "continuous disinformation has led up to nothing but exacerbation of the maritime tensions and destabilization of bilateral relations."
Early in February, Beijing also rejected Manila's concern when a Department of Communication and Information Technology (DICT) official discovered cyberattacks on the Philippine government websites, which were believed to be operated by China-based officials.
Other concerns raised by the Philippines and dismissed by China included the use of a military-grade laser against Philippine personnel in the Philippine waters as well as the dangerous maneuvers.
China said the "groundless speculations, slanders and inconsistent statements of spokespersons of relevant Philippine agencies can only place their professionalism and credibility in doubt."
"We urge the relevant Philippine agencies to handle maritime issues with all seriousness, and meet the Chinese side halfway in safeguarding bilateral relations as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea," it added.