China warns U.S. against using the Philippines to stir trouble in South China Sea

China urges the United States not to use the Philippines to stir trouble in the South China Sea, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday, noting that the Philippine side should immediately cease its provocations and violations on Tiexian Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao island group.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks in response to a media query about a post from the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines on X, which was related to recent law enforcement operations of Chinese coast guard vessels against Philippine fishing boats near Tiexian Jiao.

The Philippines has repeatedly dispatched personnel to land illegally on Tiexian Jiao, seriously infringing upon China's sovereignty and violating the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Mao said, noting that China's countermeasures are legitimate and legal.

China urges the U.S. side to stop using the Philippines to stir trouble in the South China Sea and to cease undermining peace and tranquility there, Mao said.

"The Philippine side should immediately cease its provocations and violations on Tiexian Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao, or China will respond resolutely," she added.