China urges the Philippines to stop hyping up maritime issues between the two countries and refrain from any acts of infringement or provocation that could further complicate the situation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
Officials from the Philippine government and military have recently made aggressive remarks on the issue of Renai Jiao and hyped up tensions.
"Ren'ai Jiao, as part of Nansha Qundao, is China's territory. The activities of Chinese ships in waters within China's jurisdiction are legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach. By keeping its 'warship' 'grounded' at Ren'ai Jiao for decades, the Philippines has continuously infringed on China's sovereignty, and violated the the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, especially Article 5 which says the parties should refrain from action of inhabiting on the uninhabited islands and reefs. China has from the very beginning demanded that the Philippines tow away the vessel and restore Ren'ai Jiao's state of hosting no personnel or facilities," said Guo.
"In recent years, in a humanitarian spirit, China has permitted the Philippines' resupply of necessities if it commits itself to not sending construction materials to the 'warship' and informs China in advance, and after on-site verification is conducted. China reached provisional arrangement with the Philippines on that. This fully shows China's goodwill and sincerity to keep the situation at Ren'ai Jiao under control. But for quite some time, the Philippines' repeated infringement and provocation at sea have severely infringed on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, disrupted peace and stability at sea, and undermined the political foundation between the two countries on properly handling maritime issues," said the spokesman.
"China is firmly resolved to defend its territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests. We call upon the Philippines to stop hyping up the maritime issues and stop any infringement or provocation that might complicate the situation," he said.
China urges Philippines to stop hyping up maritime issues
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
