FM Spox Speaks On Philippine Naval Incident & Li Trip To Russia

(MNI) London - Wires carrying comments from a Chinese foreign ministry spox on several topics. Following a collision between vessels from the Chinese and Philippine coast guards earlier on 19 Aug in the contested Sabina Shoal, the spox says that China "resolutely opposes action by the Philippines" with regards to the collision, adding that "China hopes the Philippines can abide by its promises and agreements reached with China."

• As we noted on 16 August, "...tensions between Manila and Beijing ratchet up over the deployment of the Philippines' newest coastguard vessel to the disputed Sabina Shoal. There are concerns that the standoff there could begin to mirror that at the Second Thomas Shoal, where the interception of a Philippine vessel by a Chinese ship in June resulted in injury to several Philippine sailors." (see 'PHILIPPINES: Foreign Aff. Min-Presence Of Mid-Range Missiles 'Not Destabilising', 16 Aug 1012BST).
• Spox confirms that Premier Li Qiang will visit Russia and Belarus from 20-23 August. He will meet with his Russian and Belarusian counterparts, and hold in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations. The visit comes amid a flurry of Sino-Russian meetings, with the countries' deputy foreign ministers meeting in Beijing on 16 Aug, while the vice-premiers meet in Moscow on 19 Aug. As SCMP reports, "Beijing has shown greater interest in intervening in the Ukraine war in recent months, and especially in increasing its engagement with Kyiv."