China urges US not to instigate trouble in South China Sea

China urges the US not to instigate trouble in the South China Sea or take sides on the South China Sea issue, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement released on Wednesday in regard to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s remarks on the South China Sea during his visit to Manila.

China is not the one that provoked the recent tense situation in the South China Sea, and thus the responsibility for the recent situation at sea does not lie with China, the spokesperson said, noting that China was made to take necessary steps to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

We firmly oppose the groundless accusations made by Blinken regarding China’s legitimate and lawful actions in the South China Sea and his thinly veiled threat to invoke the socalled Mutual Defense Treaty obligations between the Philippines and the US, the spokesperson said.

The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in maritime issues between China and the Philippines, the spokesperson stressed, noting that the recent tension in the South China Sea would not have occurred without the US pushing the Philippines.

China urges the US not to instigate trouble in the South China Sea or take sides on the South China Sea issue. China remains committed to all necessary measures in firmly safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and upholding peace and stability in the region, the spokesperson added.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also reiterate China’s stance.

“What has recently escalated the situation concerning the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines is that the latter has frequently made infringements and provocations, stirred up troubles at sea, and spread disinformation to mislead the perception of the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a Wednesday briefing.

“China has firmly safeguarded its own territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and has at the same time striven to properly handle maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation with parties concerned and advance practical maritime cooperation based on sovereign equality to keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable,” Lin said.