China says Philippines is stoking tensions with large-scale Scarborough Shoal drill
Manila reportedly issued a notice warning of military exercises across a wide area of the South China Sea until the end of March
China has accused the Philippines of “deliberately stoking maritime tensions” following reports Manila had warned it would stage military exercises across a large area of the disputed South China Sea for more than two months.
Days later, the Philippines also carried out this year’s first joint maritime operation with the United States in the South China Sea, a move condemned by Beijing for undermining regional peace and stability and drawing in “external powers”.
Asked about the reports on Thursday, Chinese defence ministry spokesman Jiang Bin accused Manila of using the drill as a pretext to carry out “infringements and provocations”.
“The Philippines, under the pretext of conducting military exercises, seeks to encroach upon [the shoal] and provoke, deliberately stoking maritime tensions,” Jiang said.