Amid reports of shadowing and dangerous maneuvers experienced by various vessels in the South China Sea, China said Saturday, Jan. 13, "there is never any issue with freedom of navigation" in the contested waterway.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Manila, the current situation in the South China Sea "is generally stable" after German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, during her visit to Manila, said that what is happening in the waters is also "a concern" for Europe.

The embassy said it is also not satisfied and is opposed to Baerbock's "disinformation, misrepresentation and distortion of truth" when she "made unwarranted accusation" against China by citing Beijing's dangerous laser pointing and water cannon attacks.

The embassy claimed that the headwinds being encountered there only "are indeed the deliberate intervention of external forces intending to sow discord among regional countries."

It also rejected the idea of the rules-based international order as it said it is only "essentially a set of 'house rules' established by a few western countries to contain and suppress other countries."

The embassy said there is only one international system, and that is the one with the United Nations at its core.

"There is only one international order, i.e. the international order underpinned by international law. And there is only one set of rules, i.e. the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," it said.

"China advocates equality among all countries, big or small. We call on countries around the world to work together to address challenges, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," it added.

Although most of the actions seen as dangerous by other nations were perpetrated by China, such as its risky maneuvers and multiple water cannon attacks, the embassy said China did not cause the recent maritime incidents.

"China has taken necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," it said.

"At the same time, we are committed to properly handling disputes with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation with the aim of jointly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. No non-regional country has the right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines," it added.