China Urges Philippines to Stop “Provocation and Propaganda” in South China Sea Amid Rising Tensions
China Warns Philippines: “Stop Provocation and Propaganda” in South China Sea
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has released a statement from Beijing’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) urging the Philippines to stop what it called “infringement, provocation, and propaganda” in the South China Sea.
The remarks came after Manila expanded its defense cooperation with nations outside the region, including joint patrols and military exercises with the United States, Japan, and Australia.
“The root cause of tensions in the South China Sea is that the Philippine side frequently draws in outside forces to conduct infringement and provocation,” MND spokesperson Jiang Bin said.
Jiang further accused the Philippines of “provoking first and playing the victim,” warning that those “stirring up trouble in collusion with outside powers will face consequences.”
“We urge the Philippine side to stop undermining joint efforts by regional countries in pursuing peace and development. Otherwise, the higher it jumps, the harder it will fall,” he warned.
Despite the sharp tone, Beijing maintained that it remains committed to dialogue and regional stability, vowing to strengthen defense cooperation with ASEAN countries.
However, both the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) swiftly refuted Beijing’s claims.
“The Philippines is no one’s pawn,” the AFP said. “We are a sovereign nation making sovereign decisions. Nobody else can dictate what we do.”
The DND also called China’s statements “illegal and uncivilized,” saying the remarks reveal Beijing’s “inability to engage in open, transparent, and lawful negotiations.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently reiterated his call for China to stop harassing Filipino fishermen and cease its aggressive maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), after reports surfaced that Beijing plans to build a so-called “nature reserve” at Scarborough Shoal — which Manila considers “a pretext for occupation.”
The situation continues to heighten regional anxiety as U.S. involvement grows, raising questions about how far China’s warnings will go — and how firmly the Philippines will stand its ground.
