China says Philippine 'provocations' cause of South China Sea tensions

2024-03-28 1,612

China on Thursday blamed the Philippines' actions for recent rising tension between the two sides in the hotly contested South China Sea.

At a regular press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian accused the Philippines of "stirring up trouble and making provocation" on the South China Sea issue.

Beijing and Manila have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the strategic waterway and there have been repeated confrontations between their vessels near contested reefs in recent months.