China continues to support Cuba in opposing external interference: FM spokesman

China will continue to firmly support Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and opposing external interference, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

Lin Jian, the spokesman, responded to a media inquiry on a Cuba-related report released by the U.S. Department of State.

"China's relationship with Cuba is open and aboveboard and brooks no slander or defamation. We urge the U.S. side to stop repeatedly smearing others and stop these ‘thief-crying-stop-thief’ stunts. China will continue to firmly support Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and opposing external interference," said Lin.

A China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman announced that, out of humanitarian considerations, Chinese authorities on Tuesday morning permitted the transfer of injured personnel from a Philippine vessel that was illegally "grounded" at China's Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea.

Jiang Lue, spokesman for the CCG, said the transfer, under the monitoring of the Chinese side, was conducted via a small boat of a Philippine vessel.

The transfer came a day after Philippine personnel from the illegally grounded Philippine ship LT-57 carried out a malicious provocation, attacking a CCG patrol boat with oars, poles and other tools and injuring a CCG officer's right arm. The CCG responded with maximum restraint, taking lawful measures to stabilize the situation.

The CCG will continue to carry out law-enforcement activities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests at Ren'ai Jiao and its surrounding waters in accordance with the law, the spokesman added.