China's military tells US to stop meddling in SCS maritime dispute
China’s military said the US must stop meddling in the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines as the issue has “nothing to do with any third party.”
“We urge the US to immediately stop meddling in the South China Sea issue, stop emboldening and supporting the Philippines’ infringement and provocations, and safeguard regional peace and stability with concrete actions,” Wu Qian, spokesman of China’s Defense Ministry said Thursday, Dec. 28.
Wu said China strongly deplores the US’ supposed misrepresentation of facts and groundless accusations against China with regards to its actions in the waters.
Amid an arbitral ruling that affirmed the Philippines’ territorial sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, Wu said China has “indisputable sovereignty” over the waters and its islands.
He also accused the US of conniving with and emboldening the Philippines actions to supposedly threaten peace and coerce China for the Mutual Defense Treaty between Manila and Washington to be invoked.
“It will not work on China,” he said.