Beijing - Saba:
A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry warned the United States on Friday against using the Philippines to provoke problems in the South China Sea.
According to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the Philippine side must immediately cease its provocations and violations around Tiexian Jiao, part of China's Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands).
The spokesperson made these remarks in response to a media inquiry regarding a post by the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines on platform "X," which concerned recent law enforcement actions by Chinese coast guard vessels against Philippine fishing boats near Tiexian Jiao.
The spokesperson added that the Philippines has repeatedly sent personnel to illegally dock at Tiexian Jiao, which constitutes a serious violation of China's sovereignty and breaches the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. She emphasized that China's countermeasures are lawful and justified.
She further clarified that China urges the U.S. side to stop using the Philippines to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and to cease undermining peace and stability in the region.
The spokesperson concluded by stating, "The Philippine side must immediately stop its provocations and violations at Tiexian Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao, or else China will respond resolutely."
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