Chinese Government ‘Strongly Dissatisfied’ Over Young Filipino Protesters On A Small Disputed Island In South China Sea
Chinese Government has expressed its dissatisfaction on the presence of young Filipino activists on a small disputed island in South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) Saturday.
"We are strongly dissatisfied with the actions and words of the Philippine side,"
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a press conference Monday, as noted by Manila Bulletin Tuesday.
Lu was reportedly referring to a group of Filipino student-volunteers called Kalayaan ATIN ITO (KAI) Movement who landed on a small disputed island or the Pagasa Island (Zhongye Island) as they call it.
"We once again urge the Philippine side to withdraw all its personnel and facilities from the Chinese islands and reefs it is illegally occupying and stop doing anything that undermines regional peace and stability and weighs against the relations between China and the Philippines,"
Lu added.
According to reports, 47 Filipino student-volunteers aged 15 to 27 sailed to the island to protest the insistent actions of China over the South China Sea (West Philippines Sea), as noted by CNN Tuesday.
The group branded the expedition as a "patriotic" voyage and an act that symbolizes boldness over China's claims on the disputed islands.
"China has no right to order us or direct us to stay away from our own territory," said Joy Ban-eg, KAI Movement spokesperson.
The young Filipino protesters, led by former Marine captain Nicanor Faeldon, started their expedition on December 24. Reports have revealed that the group planned to stay on the small island for three days before heading back to the mainland.
In addition, the group initially aimed to include 10,000 youths in their month-long protest, which they planned to conduct on the different islands in the Spratly archipelago.
On its social media account, KAI Movement posted a photo of the young protesters on Pagasa Island (Zhongye Island) and captioned it: "We encourage the highest leadership of the country to inform the people correctly without sugar coating the truth about Chinese invasion of our Exclusive Economic Zone."
"How can the people unite and pick up the cudgels and peacefully and legally fight along side of you if you hide the truth from us? Tell us the truth Mr. President."
Despite this, the Chinese Government claimed it has "indisputable sovereignty" over the disputed islands.
"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands), Zhongye Island (Pagasa Island) being a part of it," Lu said.