¡¡¡¡BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines says China is de-escalating the situation around Huangyan Island by withdrawing two law enforcement vessels.

¡¡¡¡Zhang Hua says a Fishery Administration ship "Yuzheng 310" and a Chinese Maritime Surveillance ship Number 084, have already left the Huangyan Island area. And only one Maritime Surveillance ship will remain in the region for its law enforcement mission. Zhang points out that China is ready to settle the maritime stand-off through friendly diplomatic consultations.

¡¡¡¡Philippine Foreign Secretary Del Rosario on Sunday urged other countries to "consider what China is endeavouring to do" regarding the island.

¡¡¡¡Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin denounced his calls saying asking other countries to take sides will only scale up the issue. He said Huangyan Island is an integral part of Chinese territory and China has indisputable sovereignty over the island and China¡¯s stance on safeguarding its territory and sovereignty is "clear" and "firm".

¡¡¡¡(Source: CNTV.cn)