The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin emphasised that the US has not got ‘the authority to intervene in the South China Sea’, responding to a question regarding the US’s offer to provide assistance to the Philippines during supply missions to a warship, during his daily briefing in Beijing on Monday.
“The Chinese maritime police have taken necessary measures in accordance with the law to safeguard China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, which is understandable and the US has no right to intervene,” he started.
The spokesperson also revealed that the planned visit of the head of Japan’s Komeito party Natsuo Yamaguchi, the junior partner in the coalition government, to China was postponed, after consultations between both sides.
« The Komeito Party has long adhered to Sino-Japanese friendship, and China attaches great importance to conducting exchanges and dialogues with the Komeito Party. We are willing to make positive efforts together to improve and develop Sino-Japanese relations, » added Wenbin.
Tensions have mounted between Beijing and Tokyo following Japan’s release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific last week.
Natsuo Yamaguchi had intended to travel to China between August 28 and 30, to potentially meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and deliver a personal letter from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
