The China Coast Guard's (CCG) law enforcement and control drill in waters near Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea on Sunday sent a clear message that the CCG will continue to strengthen law enforcement patrols and resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, said an expert on the same day.
"In recent years, the Philippine side has repeatedly used government vessels and fishing boats as a cover in its attempt to breach the China Coast Guard's control line in the waters near Huangyan Dao and establish illegal presence. Therefore, during this drill, the coast guard forces focused on operations such as boarding and inspection, intercepting and preventing forced entry, and forcibly towing away foreign vessels that illegally intrude into waters under China's jurisdiction," said Professor Zhang Chi from the National Defense University of People's Liberation Army (PLA).
"These exercises send a clear message to the outside world: any attempt to erode China's sovereignty through a 'salami-slicing' strategy is a pipe dream and doomed to failure; the China Coast Guard will continue to strengthen law enforcement and patrols in waters under China's jurisdiction and resolutely safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Zhang said.
Coast guard drill demonstrates China's resolve to safeguard territorial sovereignty, maritime interests: expert
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday condemned Europe for blocking peaceful settlement of Ukraine crisis at the General Debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, which opened on Sept 22 in the New York City.
Lavrov noted that the efforts made by the West to defeat Russia will only harm themselves.
"Europe is doing everything to thwart a peaceful settlement and undermine the prospects for negotiations -- prospects in which many, including the Trump administration, are interested. The West continues to send weapons to Ukraine and help Kiev target civilian infrastructure and civilians with drones and missiles. The West aspires to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, but these aspirations, as has happened many times in the past, will lead the warmongers into a strategic dead end," he said.
The foreign minister also called on the UN to take measures to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and its surrounding regions. He noted that restoring trust between Arab states and Iran is a prerequisite for handling the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.
Additionally, Lavrov said Russia insists on the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. He also urged the lifting of the maritime blockade against Cuba and the adoption of economic measures to improve the humanitarian situation in the country.
Russian FM condemns Europe for blocking peaceful settlement of Ukraine crisis
