China expresses strong opposition to any third party's mediation

The Chinese Foreign Ministry says the country has strengthened controls in the Huangyan Island waters in response to the provocative actions of the Philippines. Meanwhile, it expressed its strong opposition to any third party's mediation, which had been proposed by the Philippines.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary, Albert del Rosario, told the United Nations General Assembly that the Philippines will continue to pursue peaceful means to resolve the territorial dispute with China. He urged again for mediation and other third party mechanisms.

As the Philippines seek to buy weapons abroad amid the diplomatic crisis, China warned that any attempt by a third country to get involved in the territorial dispute over Huangyan Island will only make the situation worse.

Hong Lei, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "Huangyan Island is an inherent part of China's territory. China has consistently used diplomatic means to urge the Philippines to correct its mistakes and ease the situation. The Philippines’ decision to draw a third party into the incident will further escalates the situation and even changes the nature of the issue. China firmly opposes it."

Meanwhile, the Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said on Wednesday that the number of Chinese vessels in the Huangyan Island waters has increased to 96.

Raul Hernandez, spokesman of Philippine Foreign Affairs Department, said, "We have received reports from the Philippine Coastguard that there is an increasing number and pattern of Chinese government vessels and fishing vessels in the area."

However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry says there are about 20 Chinese vessel boats operating in the Huangyan Island waters, roughly the same number as in previous years. It says their operations there are in line with relevant laws of China, as well as the country's fishing ban.

Hong Lei, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "China sent government ships to the Huangyan Island to provide services for fishing boats. We also deployed maritime surveillance vessels to provide protection for them. With the services and protection, we hope Chinese fishing boats can conduct normal and safe fishing activities in the traditional fishing waters off the Huangyan Island."

China has been implementing a summer fishing moratorium, lasting from May 16 to August 1, in some parts of the South China Sea, as a routine annual measure to rehabilitate marine resources.