The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged the Philippines to refrain from flexing its muscles with countries outside the region in provocations that could worsen tensions and undermine the stability of the South China Sea.

Lin Jian, a ministry spokesperson, made the comment in response to questions about a scheduled joint military drill between the Philippines and the United States next week at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

"The Philippine side should be clearly aware that wooing a country outside the region to flex the muscles and provoke confrontation in the South China Sea will only escalate tensions and undermine regional stability," Lin said.

Attempts by the Philippines to introduce external forces to safeguard its own so-called security will only lead to greater insecurity or even end up being reduced into someone else's pawn, he said.

The spokesperson said the Chinese side urges the Philippines to stop causing trouble or provocation at sea and calls on the relevant country outside the region to stop provoking confrontation in the South China Sea.

China will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, he said.