China's Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday called on the Philippines to honor its commitments and immediately stop all provocative actions.

China Coast Guard on August 5 blocked two Philippine navy vessels that tried to deliver construction materials for overhauling and reinforcing a rusting Philippine military vessel on Ren'ai Jiao.

The U.S. State Department later issued a statement criticizing China for obstructing Philippine vessels and indicating U.S. support for "the Philippines' lawful maritime operations."

In response to a media query regarding the issue, Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the ministry, said China has sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao, which has sufficient historical and legal basis.

The Philippine side has violated its commitments and tried to deliver construction materials for overhauling and reinforcing the grounded military vessel, which violates China's sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), Wu said.

China Coast Guard took warning law enforcement measures in accordance with the law, said Wu, adding that its on-site operations were reasonable, legal and professional.

"China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty," he said.

The spokesperson said China strongly opposes U.S. groundless accusations of China's lawful maritime rights protection and law enforcement actions, adding that the U.S. has no right to throw its weight around.

"We urge the U.S. to immediately stop using the South China Sea issue to sow discord and provoke conflicts, earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and respect the positive efforts made by countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Wu.

The Chinese military will resolutely perform its duties and missions to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, he added.

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(Cover: File photo of Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense. /China's Ministry of National Defense)