Chinese Coast Guard expels Philippine vessel illegally entering waters near Tiexian Jiao

Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) lawfully expelled Philippine official vessels that illegally intruded into the waters near Tiexian Jiao in the South China Sea on Sunday, according to a CCG spokesperson.

Philippine official vessels with the hull number of 3002 and 3003 illegally entered the waters near Tiexian Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao without the permission of the Chinese government, said CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun.

Liu added that, at 09:19, Philippine public vessel 3003 ignored multiple warnings from the Chinese side and dangerously approached CCG vessel 21559, which was conducting normal law enforcement activities for rights protection, resulting in a collision.

The full responsibility lies with the Philippine side, Liu stressed.

The CCG took control measures according to law against the Philippine vessels and resolutely expelled them. The operations were professional, standardized, reasonable and lawful, Liu said.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including Tiexian Jiao and the adjacent waters. The Philippine side's actions have seriously violated China's territorial sovereignty, breached the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, the spokesperson stressed.

China sternly warns the Philippines to immediately cease its infringements and provocative acts. The CCG will conduct law enforcement activities for rights protection in China's jurisdiction waters in accordance with the law, Liu said.

Chinese Coast Guard expels Philippine vessel illegally entering waters near Tiexian Jiao

Chinese Coast Guard expels Philippine vessel illegally entering waters near Tiexian Jiao

Chinese Coast Guard expels Philippine vessel illegally entering waters near Tiexian Jiao

Chinese Coast Guard expels Philippine vessel illegally entering waters near Tiexian Jiao

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near