China bears down on PH as Defense Ministry calls for 'immediate stop' to SCS provocations

MANILA, Philippines: A day after Beijing's Foreign Ministry warned the Philippines to stop using the South China Sea to instigate disputes, it's now its Defense Ministry's turn, urging Manila to "immediately stop provocative actions" that may escalate the tension in the disputed waters.

"We urge the Philippine side not to further walk down the wrong path and immediately stop any provocative actions that may escalate the disputes or complicate the situation. At the same time, we suggest that some non-regional countries stop their rhetoric and actions that embolden and support the provocative and risky acts of the Philippines and refrain from being a disruptor in the South China Sea," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Defense spokesman, at a regular press briefing on Friday, March 15.