China warns Philippines not to disrupt peace and stability in the South China Sea

China will take resolute and effective measures to deter any moves that disrupt peace and stability in the South China Sea, a Ministry of National Defense spokesman said on Friday.

Senior Colonel Chen Xi, spokesman for the ministry, said China remains committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, while working with countries in the region to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and the Nansha Islands, including Zhongye Island, Xianbin Reef and Ren'ai Reef, as well as their adjacent waters, and exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters," Chen said.

His remarks came amid renewed tensions over the South China Sea. The Philippines has recently taken actions around Huangyan Island and Ren'ai Reef and said it would not allow China to dictate what Manila described as Philippine "territory".

The Philippine military also said it had monitored more than 100 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels operating in waters around Zhongye Island and Xianbin Reef in September, claiming the presence was intended to undermine the Philippines' determination to defend its rights and interests.

Chen rejected those claims, saying the islands and reefs are not within the territorial scope of the Philippines. He noted that measures taken by China to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests are legitimate, reasonable, professional and standardized.

Chen also criticized repeated attempts by the Philippine side to draw external forces into South China Sea disputes, carry out provocative actions and spread false narratives at the expense of the common interests of regional countries.

"The Chinese side will take resolute and effective measures to deter any sabotaging moves in the South China Sea and uphold regional peace and stability," he said.

Responding separately to recent remarks by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on the South China Sea and China, Chen said a certain Philippine politician was pursuing "selfish interests" and trying to gain political influence by taking an extreme anti-China position, creating external threats to justify military expansion and seeking foreign support by stirring up tensions in the South China Sea.

Such actions, he said, have harmed the Philippines' national security and people's well-being, threatened regional peace and stability and the shared interests of ASEAN, and had a damaging impact on China-Philippines relations, including defense ties.

"Facts speak louder than words," Chen said, reiterating China's commitment to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and to regional cooperation.