China today accused the Philippines’ actions for the recent heightened tensions between the two sides in the hotly contested South China Sea.
“The provocations by the Philippine side are the direct cause of the recent heating up of the South China Sea issue,” according to Chinese defence ministry in a statement entitled “China Will Not Allow the Philippines to Act Wilfully.”
China-Philippines relations have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the strategic waterway. Their vessels have clashed repeatedly near disputed reefs in recent months.
“Relying on the backing of external forces… the Philippine side has frequently infringed on rights and provoked and created trouble at sea, as well as spreading false information to mislead the international community’s perception of the issue, which is, so to speak, going further and further down a dangerous road,” Beijing’s defence ministry added.
The recent incident occurred near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands during another Philippine mission to resupply Philippine troops stationed on the stranded BRP Sierra Madre warship.
The Philippines, for its part, said the Chinese Coast Guard blocked the supply ship and damaged it with a water cannon, injuring three soldiers. China’s position, meanwhile, reveals that the Chinese Coast Guard is defending its actions.
The deputy foreign ministers of both sides held a telephone conversation on Monday after Manila summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident.
