China Urges Philippines to Stop Provocations Over South China Sea

Dragon Media News Desk

China has urged certain individuals in the Philippines to stop provocative statements and actions concerning the South China Sea, warning against moves that could undermine China-Philippines relations and regional stability.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday in response to a question about recent statements by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. regarding the South China Sea.

Mao said China’s position on the so-called “South China Sea arbitration” has remained clear and consistent.

According to Mao, the arbitration case was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines and represented a distortion and abuse of the dispute settlement mechanism under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.

“The Philippines unilaterally initiated the case, which is a distortion and abuse of the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism,” Mao said.

She added that, in China’s view, it is the Philippine side that has violated UNCLOS and undermined its integrity and authority.

China has repeatedly maintained that disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation between the countries directly concerned. The latest remarks reflect continuing diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Manila over the South China Sea issue.