China urged the Philippines to correct its course and return to dialogue on the South China Sea issue, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a press conference Thursday in Beijing.
Zhang's remarks came after Philippine vessels illegally intruded into waters adjacent to the islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao, and Philippine reconnaissance aircraft intruded into China's airspace over Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea recently.
Responding to the Philippines' claim that China's response has "endangered Philippine personnel, vessels and aircraft", Zhang said China will never allow any provocations or attempts to extort to succeed.
"China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters, and possesses sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters. For some time, the Philippines has frequently provoked China by infringing upon its rights and creating incidents at sea. It has also attempted to stir up trouble by relying on foreign powers and using them as a guise of bullying China to blackmail and pressure, spreading disinformation that distorts and smears China to confuse the public," said the spokesman.
"China is determined to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Its actions to protect these rights are legal, reasonable, professional, and restrained. China will never allow any provocations or attempts to extort under false pretences to succeed. We urge the Philippines to correct its course as soon as possible, return to the correct track of dialogue and consultation, and work with other countries in the region to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea," Zhang said.
China urges Philippines to correct its course, return to dialogue on South China Sea: spokesman
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
