The statement on the South China Sea by the spokesperson of the US Department of State on December 19th contains unfounded accusations against China that attempt to stir up troubles and drive a wedge between China and the Philippines. We strongly deplore and firmly oppose this.

Over the past few years, with the joint efforts of all parties concerned, the South China Sea situation has maintained overall stability. Separated by only a strip of water, China and the Philippines belong to the Asian family and have stayed friendly for thousands of years. It is only natural for neighbors to have differences. The two countries share the Asian wisdom of settling differences through dialogue and consultation. Under the strategic guidance of our two heads of state, China and the Philippines have agreed to place South China Sea disputes at a proper place in the bilateral relations and manage them properly through dialogue and consultation.

That said, as the Chinese proverb goes, “the sea desires calmness but the waves keep rolling.” The US keeps meddling in the South China Sea disputes and trying to drive wedges between countries in the region, creating tensions and harming regional peace and stability. What the US has done is not to help anyone but to serve its own geopolitical interests.

China’s stand on the South China Sea issue is consistent and clear-cut. The Chinese and Philippine peoples have the will and capability to properly handle maritime disputes through friendly consultation, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. We urge the US to stop using the South China Sea issue to stir up troubles, sow discord between China and the Philippines and undermine stability in the South China Sea.