Metro Manila, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday accused the United States of trying to “stir up troubles and drive a wedge” between China and the Philippines.
“The US keeps meddling in the South China Sea disputes and trying to drive wedges between countries in the region, creating tensions and harming regional peace and stability,” the embassy said.
The remark came after the US State Department issued a statement calling on China to “respect the international law of the sea in the South China Sea, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and its legal obligations pursuant to the 2016 arbitral ruling.”
The Chinese Embassy condemned the US statement, claiming that the South China Sea situation has remained stable due to the efforts of all parties involved.
“China and the Philippines have agreed to place South China Sea disputes at a proper place in the bilateral relations and manage them properly through dialogue and consultation,” the embassy stressed.
Over the past few weeks, Chinese militia vessels were reported to be swarming the West Philippine Sea, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines saying a Chinese ship challenged and shadowed a Philippine supply boat in Ayungin shoal.
On Dec. 16, the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest against China over what was believed to be rocket debris retrieved by the navy in the West Philippine Sea that was “forcefully” seized by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel.
The embassy denied this, saying there was only a “friendly consultation” between both parties.
