Beijing: China has urged the United States to "refrain from using the Philippines to stir up trouble in the South China Sea," emphasizing the need for the Philippines to "immediately cease its provocations and violations" in the Tiexian Jiao Reef area of China's Nansha Qiandao Islands.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, these remarks were made by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning in response to a media inquiry regarding a post by the US Ambassador to the Philippines on the X platform. The post addressed law enforcement operations conducted by Chinese Coast Guard vessels near the reefs against Philippine fishing boats.

The Spokesperson highlighted that "the Philippines has repeatedly sent personnel to illegally anchor on the Tiexian Jiao Reef, which constitutes a gross violation of China's sovereignty and a violation of the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea." She asserted that "the actions taken by China in this regard are legitimate and in accordance with the law."

China has urged the United States to "stop exploiting the Philippines to destabilize the region and not undermine peace and security in the South China Sea."

The Chinese Spokesperson concluded her statement with a warning that "the Philippine side must immediately cease its provocations and violations in China's Tiexian Jiao Reef, otherwise Beijing will take resolute measures in response."

Earlier this month, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang issued a stern warning to the Philippines against "harming China's core interests in any way."