The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has accused the United States of smearing China before members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) following the US Navy secretary's recent trip to the Philippines.
In a recent statement, the embassy said it "strongly deplores and firmly rejects" remarks made by US Navy Sec. Carlos Del Toro, who reportedly warned that any Asian aggressor who violates the sovereignty of other countries will risk punitive actions.
"It is reported that, in an interview during his visit to the Philippines recently, the US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro made unfounded accusations against and maliciously smeared China, trying to inflate the 'China Threat.' China strongly deplores and firmly rejects those remarks," the embassy said.
The embassy based its reaction on a report that while Del Toro did not specifically name China, he still noted that Beijing encroached in the sovereign waters of its Asian neighbors and violated international law with impunity.
In return, the embassy hit the US. It alleged that the US, in a supposed attempt to preserve its hegemony, "keeps intensifying power projection in this region, and deliberately seeks to widen differences and provoke tensions, undermining the legitimate rights and interests of coastal countries and the normal order at sea."
"The US has frequently sent large numbers of advanced military vessels and aircraft from half a globe away to the South China Sea to flex muscles, make military provocations and create maritime and air tensions, conducting 'navigation bullying' in the name of 'freedom of navigation,'" it said.
The embassy called these acts as "crystal clear facts" that apparently try "to stir up trouble and drive a wedge, using the South China Sea."
"What is the US up to?" it asked.
On issues over the South China Sea, the embassy said, China and ASEAN countries have exercised restraint.
The two sides also "kept their differences and disputes in a proper place, and got them on the track of consultation and management as prescribed by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)."
"We staunchly support all efforts that are conducive to peaceful settlement and management of disputes, and unequivocally reject words and actions that aim to stoke tension and confrontation in the region," it also said.