China's Defense Ministry urges Philippines to stop South China Sea tensions

The Chinese military on Thursday urged the Philippines not to "be bent on acting willfully and making trouble," according to a Defense Ministry spokesman.

The Philippine-U.S. "joint maritime military exercise" and "joint air patrol" in the South China Sea has seriously jeopardized regional peace and stability, and run counter to the efforts made by the countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the region, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a media query. 

Zhang also emphasized that the United States is not a party to the South China Sea issue and should abide by its commitment not to take a position on this issue.

During the same period of the Philippine-U.S. joint military exercise and the joint air patrol, the Southern Theater of Operations of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has organized sea and air force cruises in the South China Sea, with the Philippines claiming that it will not back down on its maritime claims.

In response, Zhang said that the relevant remarks of the Philippine side are "purely confusing right and wrong and malicious speculation."

The Philippine maritime police vessels have repeatedly and illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Island, and the Chinese side has taken such measures as warning and removal and route control in accordance with the law, and has handled the situation in a reasonable and lawful manner with professional restraint, he added.

The spokesperson also emphasized that China has "indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters.”

"China will continue to carry out law-enforcement operations to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the waters under its jurisdiction," he said.

Noting that the South China Sea is the common homeland of the countries in the region, the spokesperson said that China insists on "working with the countries concerned to manage their differences through dialogue and consultation."

In response to all acts of infringement and provocation, the Chinese army has always stood at the ready, resolutely countered them, and firmly defended its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, he said.