China says it vessel’s operation “professional“ after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticizes it

(20 Nov 2023) RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Beijing - 20 November 2023 1. Wide of news conference 2. Wide of reporters 3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson: “The Chinese military has always been highly disciplined and conducts professional operations in accordance with international law and international practice. We hope the relevant party will stop stirring up trouble at China’s doorstep and work with us to jointly sustain the momentum of the improvement and development of China-Australia relations.” 4. Reporters 5. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson “China’s position and claims over the South China Sea have a historical and legal basis. The construction China carried out in its own territory fully falls within its sovereignty, and no country has the right to make irresponsible remarks on that.” 6. Reporters 7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson “To formulate the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) is an important task for China and ASEAN countries to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Any acts that deviate from the DOC framework and go against the DOC spirit will be null and void.” 8. Reporters 9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson “China is following closely the conflict in northern Myanmar and has been urging all parties to stop the fighting. Recently, some countries asked China for assistance. In a humanitarian spirit, we have facilitated their citizens’ transit through China from northern Myanmar. We will stay in contact with the countries concerned and provide assistance within our capability.” 10. Wide of news conference STORYLINE: China on Monday defended its vessel’s operation after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized it for a “dangerous” encounter with Australian warships. Albanese said one Australian diver was injured when a Chinese destroyer used sonar while near an Australian frigate in international waters last Tuesday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China’s military was always highly disciplined and conducted professional operations in accordance with international law and international practice. “We hope the relevant party will stop stirring up trouble at China’s doorstep and work with us to jointly sustain the momentum of the improvement and development of China-Australia relations,” Mao said at a daily news briefing. Australia’s defense minister Richard Marles said Saturday he had raised serious concerns with Beijing about the destroyer’s unsafe and unprofessional behavior. Mao also reaffirmed China’s claim over the South China Sea after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines warned that China has shown interest in atolls and shoals that are “closer and closer” to the coast of the Philippines. Marcos said the situation in the South China Sea “has become more dire” as China expands its presence in an area where multiple nations have competing territorial claims. “The construction China carried out in its own territory fully falls within its sovereignty, and no country has the right to make irresponsible remarks on that,” Mao insisted. Mao dismissed Marco’s call for a separate Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) with other neighbours, saying the COC lays the ground for implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and that any efforts depart from that will be “null and void.” =========================================================== Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: