China accused the Philippines of turning the South China Sea dispute into a “shadow play” meant to smear Beijing and allow “external forces” to undermine peace and stability in the region.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi leaves a press conference on the sideline of the National People's Congress in Beijing on March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson quoted a remark made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi when asked about Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s comment that China’s increasing aggression in the waters is the greatest threat to Manila’s national security.
 

“At an international forum a few weeks ago, an official from a regional country noted that the frictions between China and the Philippines are like ‘shadow play’, which is a vivid analogy,” Wang was quoted as saying.
 

“For every move on the sea by the Philippines, there is a screenplay written by external forces, the show is livestreamed by Western media, and the plot is invariably to smear China. People are not interested in watching the same performance again and again,” he added.
 

A shadow play is a traditional theatrical art of performing using puppets that move behind a thin translucent curtain or screen.
 

Stressing that China will continue to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the contested waters, Wang urged the Philippines to “stop misleading the international community, using the South China Sea issue to instigate disputes, and counting on external forces to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea region.”
 

“Infringement and provocation will backfire and those acting as others’ chess pieces are bound to be discarded,” the minister added.
 

Beijing and Manila continue to be at loggerheads over the resource-rich South China Sea, which China claims in almost its entirety, including the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the Philippines.
 

Manila has largely depended on its oldest ally, the United States, in protecting its territorial and maritime rights, as well as a 2016 arbitral tribunal victory that invalidated the basis of China’s claim to the region. 
 

This was frowned upon by China as it rejects the ruling and pushes for bilateral negotiations to solve the disputes.