China on Thursday intensified its criticism of the Philippines’ activities at Ren’ai Jiao, known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal, asserting the reef is part of its Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands) and “has always been Chinese territory.” Foreign-ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Manila’s decades-long grounding of a naval vessel there violates Chinese sovereignty and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Beijing maintains that Philippine resupply missions are allowed solely on humanitarian grounds, provided no construction materials are delivered and prior notice is given for on-site verification. Guo accused the Philippines of recently taking actions that “infringe upon and provoke tensions at sea,” and urged it to halt what he called hyping of maritime disputes. China has repeatedly demanded that Manila remove the grounded ship and “restore Ren’ai Jiao to its original state of hosting no personnel or facilities,” he said. In a separate briefing, Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said the Philippines, backed by unspecified “external countries,” is the party undermining regional stability. He cited Manila’s recent joint exercise with Australia, which was observed by forces from the United States, Canada and Japan, as evidence of efforts to “court outside influence” in the South China Sea. Zhang warned that China will take “firm countermeasures” against any further provocations.