US' efforts to capacitate Philippine troops in their naval operations as well as its supposed attempts to bring more nations supportive of Manila's claim over the West Philippine Sea "will lead nowhere," the Chinese Embassy in Manila said.
The embassy's warning came as China also kept asserting its rights over the West Philippine Sea, where it attacked Philippine troops using a water cannon in its avowed defense of territorial integrity.
It also justified its action as it noted that the US had in the past "even sent over military aircraft and vessels to assist and support the Philippines" that threatened China, so a water cannon attack was necessary this time.
All these and the US attempts "to persistently sensationalize the South China Sea issue, extensively hype up the recent maritime incident and attack China’s legitimate and lawful actions at sea" were noted by Beijing.
"Justice lies not in the loudness of one's voice, but in the truth and rightness. The US attempts will lead nowhere," it added.
China then urged the US to respect its territorial sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and the whole of South China Sea—a claim that has no legal basis except for its unilateral historical nine-dash line.
It said it is rejecting any attempts to create disagreement among nations in the Indo-Pacific.
"China unequivocally rejects words and actions that aim to stoke tension and confrontation in the South China Sea," the embassy said.
"We urge the US to respect China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and respect regional countries' efforts to uphold peace and stability in this region," it added.
Since Sunday, Washington and its officials had been expressing support for the Philippines following the water cannon attack the Chinese Coast Guard perpetrated against Philippine troops in the Ayungin Shoal.
The US stood by the Philippines as it described China's action as threatening to peace and stability.
The US also reaffirmed its commitment to the country that an armed attack against Philippine vessels in the water would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).