China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hong Lei gestures for questions at a press briefing in Beijing in this November 2010 file photo. AFP
BEIJING—China on Tuesday accused the Philippines of harming its maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, in sharp retaliation to claims by Manila that Beijing is undermining regional peace.
The Philippines said over the weekend that China dispatched vessels to intimidate rivals in disputed areas of the South China Sea, violating “maritime jurisdiction” and undermining “the peace and stability of the region.”
But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei hit back at the accusations Tuesday, saying the Chinese vessels were merely cruising and carrying out scientific studies in waters under Beijing’s jurisdiction.
“China asks the Filipino side to stop harming China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, which leads to unilateral actions that expand and complicate South China Sea disputes,” he said.
He also said Manila should stop publishing “irresponsible statements that do not match the facts.”
The Paracel archipelago and the more southerly Spratly islands in the South China Sea are both potentially resource-rich outcrops that straddle strategic shipping lanes.
The Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam claim all or part of the territories in question, and recent renewed tensions drew a warning Saturday from the United States that the disputes could lead to armed conflict.
China and Vietnam are also locked in a dispute related to the sovereignty of the Paracel archipelago and the Spratlys. The diplomatic flare-up even triggered a protest in Hanoi – a rare occurrence in the country.