China said it will do its best to safeguard its territorial sovereignty over the South China Sea and that the Philippines efforts of seeking support in asserting its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea "will take the toll."
Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, made the pronouncement as Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan are increasing their collaboration to uphold rule of law amid disputes in the South China Sea, including China's continued claim over the West Philippine Sea.
"China will not weaken in its resolve to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Wang said during his Monday briefing.
"We hope the Philippines will realize that tying itself to some major power and forcing China to back down on issues concerning China’s core interests will lead nowhere. Ultimately, it is the Philippines' own interests and the region's peace and stability that will take the toll," he added.
After President Marcos said that a more assertive China was posing a challenge to its neighbors, Wang claimed that it is the Philippines that is stoking tension and trying to change the status quo of the region.
"Over the past few months, it has been the Philippines who is breaching the common understandings with China and heightening tensions in the South China Sea; it is the Philippines who has attempted to change the current status of Ren’ai Jiao and make it a fait accompli," he said.
"And it is the Philippines who has on every occasion courted external forces to put pressure on China," he added.
Wang said "nothing will change" the fact, no matter "what smokescreen the Philippines uses," that Manila's supposed unfulfilled promise to tow away the beached BRP Sierra Madre that is contributing to the tension.
The Philippine government already denied the existence of such a promise, while China, until now, has not provided any proof for its claim that the Philippines made a promise.
"Over the course of this year, the Philippines has gone back on its words and kept sending government and military vessels into the waters of Ren’ai Jiao to supply construction materials for the large-scale repair and reinforcement of the 'grounded' warship and permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao," Wang said.
"The Philippines, bolstered by external support, has brushed aside China’s goodwill and restraint and repeatedly challenged China’s principles and red line," he added.
Wang said such poses a "major risk that could drive up tensions at sea."
"China remains committed to upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries," he said.