China's embassy in Manila has said that it is firmly opposing and condemning United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson's supposed accusation that Beijing unlawfully used water cannons to attack Philippine vessels in Scarborough Shoal.
The embassy alleged that Carlson overlooked basic facts and made groundless accusations against China's legitimate measures for protecting its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
This came after Carlson said China's recent actions, where it rammed into and fired water cannon against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), disrupted a Philippine maritime operation on Dec. 4 and put people's lives at risk.
Several other nations also expressed concern over Beijing's move.
"The United States and those allies are not parties to the issue of the South China Sea and have no right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines," the embassy said in a statement Friday night, Dec. 6.
"We urge these countries to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop sowing discord and adding fuel to the fire, and stop being troublemakers for peace and stability in the South China Sea," it added.
A day after the incident, the Philippines filed yet another diplomatic protest against China through a note verbale.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said he would also meet with Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian to discuss the incident.