China has called the recent joint maritime activity of the Philippines and the US in the South China Sea as "provocative", even as it conducted a similar exercise in the contested waters.
After the Philippine and US navies held a two-day Maritime Cooperative Activity to bolster regional security and stability in the waters, Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said what the two countries did would not address the current dispute at sea.
"We would like to stress that the US and the Philippines' muscle-flexing, provocative military activities in the South China Sea are not conducive to managing the situation on the sea and handling maritime disputes," Wang said in his regular press briefing on Friday.
Wang then urged concerned in the South China Sea "to stop the irresponsible moves" as well as "respect regional countries' effort to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea."
"China will continue to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and make active efforts to uphold peace and tranquility in the region," he added.
On Monday, Jan. 3, the Philippines and the US started its joint sailin the South China Sea in an activity that is "designed to support" the longstanding partnership between the two militaries and "further advance" combined capabilities in the maritime domain, according to the US Defense Department.
The Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar, BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Davao del Sur joined USS Carl Vinson, USS Princeton, USS Kidd and USS Sterett to sail in the waters and enhance planning and maritime communications operations.
During the conduct of such activity, China also deployed its vessels, which apparently shadowed those of the Philippines and the US.
The move, China said, was part of its routine patrol in the South China Sea, although its troops were put "on high alert" to safeguard its purported sovereign security and maritime rights and interests.