Enraged online users are expressing their strong disapproval of China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson for manipulating the situation involving coral reef damage in the West Philippine Sea.
On Thursday, September 21, Mao Ning, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, drew criticism for deflecting blame onto the Philippines in response to the country’s planned action against China’s coral reef destruction in Ayungin Shoal.
Ning asserted that it was the Philippines responsible for environmental damage in the waters of Ayungin Shoal due to the presence of the anchored BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as the Philippine Coast Guard’s station.
“If the Philippines truly cares about the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away the illegally ‘grounded’ warship at Ren’ai Jiao as soon as possible, stop it from discharging polluted water into the ocean and not let the rusting warship bring irrevocable harm to the ocean,” she said.
This statement prompted numerous negative replies and reactions from online users who accused China of engaging in gaslighting.
Netizen @ruminarist vented their frustration with an impassioned tweet, saying, “SARAP hagisan ng mga dead corals ang pagmumukha! “
https://twitter.com/ruminarist/status/1705048889454436829
Renowned election lawyer Emil Maranon responded with a series of laughing emojis and attached a screenshot of a news headline stating “China’s environmental data: The world’s biggest polluter in numbers,” suggesting the hypocrisy of the Chinese ministers’ statement.
https://twitter.com/13thFool/status/1705055590815551649
@pepsicollagen also shared her reaction, accusing China of both theft and pollution of natural resources in the West Philippine Sea.
“It is China who is stealing and depleting our natural resources. You’re the one polluting waters.”
It is China who is stealing and depleting our natural resources. You’re the one polluting waters. https://t.co/QPHdWd2CrT
— Pepc Paloma (@Pepsicollagen) September 23, 2023
In addition to these voices, @philippiEagle6 bluntly remarked, “Hey CCP Shut up”
https://twitter.com/PhilippEagle6/status/1705144406540734848
@serenityPHL criticized the Chinese spokesperson’s statement, claiming that China is the biggest gaslighter because they aim to control the entire West Philippine Sea.
“(Chinese flag emoji) propagandists the biggest gaslighters. They want WPS so bad you would think they would take the utmost care of it.”
https://twitter.com/SerenityPHL/status/1705169973792915630
@kimiberr expressed anger at China’s ongoing bullying tactics.
“This is infuriating. First they decimate our coat reefs and they tell US to get out? When will we get retribution? Because justice is out the window.”
This is infuriating.
First they decimate our coat reefs and they tell US to get out?
When will we get retribution? Because justice is out the window. https://t.co/iR6k569JjB
— Kimber (@kimiberr) September 22, 2023
@chrollaw dismissed the statement as a ridiculous joke.
“Coming from those who destroyed the WPS coral reefs! What a joke.”
Coming from those who destroyed the WPS coral reefs! What a joke. https://t.co/vtGjIrNcF7
— Alex (@chrollaw) September 22, 2023
@roboticmothman shared the same sentiment, highlighting the irony of China’s statement.
“Oh the damn irony of China saying that”
Oh the damn irony of China saying that https://t.co/HDtuVvMFaP
— Pizza, CEO of Shin Kamen Rider Brainrot (@roboticmothman) September 23, 2023
