China is protesting the alleged “trespassing” of Philippine resupply vessels in the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, adding that its response of using a water cannon during the incident was “reasonable” and “professional.”

In a statement on Monday, March 25, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said it has lodged representations with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) against the “illegal trespassing” of the Unaizah May 4 (UM4) last March 23 to bring supplies to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.

The representations pointed out that the Philippines disregarded China’s “strong opposition communicated clearly to the Philippine side until the eleventh hour” by sending two Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) vessels and one resupply vessel to the shoal.

“It was a deliberate and provocative move that infringed upon China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the statement read.

“The China Coast Guard (CCG) in response has implemented lawful regulation, interception, and expulsion in a reasonable and professional manner,” it added.

The embassy reiterated that the Ayungin Shoal, which China calls Ren’ai Jiao, is part of China’s Nansha Qundao, adding that Beijing holds “indisputable sovereignty” over the features of Nansha Qundao and their adjacent waters.

Also on Monday, the DFA lodged a diplomatic protest against China’s intrusion into the shoal, which is part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). It also asked the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to file a similar protest at the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The exchange of protests came after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that the CCG once more fired water cannons at a Philippine supply vessel in the Ayungin Shoal.

The attack caused “heavy damage” to UM4, the AFP said, condemning the CCG further for performing a dangerous maneuver by crossing the bow against the Philippine vessel en route to the shoal “for the rotation and resupply mission for the Filipino soldiers stationed in BRP Sierra Madre.”

But in the statement, China maintained its “sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea,” which it claims based “in the long course of history,” adding that these “are solidly grounded in history and the law.”

It again rejected the 2016 Arbitral Award that ruled against the nine-dash line, the basis of Beijing’s claim in the resource-rich region. Such claims overlap with the EEZs of its neighboring countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

The embassy said the arbitration award was “illegal, null and void.”

“China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award,” the statement read, stressing its commitment “to resolute measures in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”

“China urges the Philippines to immediately stop infringement and provocation and return to the right track of dialogue and consultation in real earnest to find a proper way to manage the situation so as to jointly preserve the peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the embassy added.

The shoal, the site of multiple similar incidents in recent months, lies about 200 kilometers from Palawan island, but more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s southern Hainan island.