China cautions U.S. side to steer clear of South China Sea issue

The United States is not a party to the issue of the South China Sea and has no right to interfere in maritime issues between China and the Philippines, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday after Washington and Manila made unwarranted remarks against Beijing.

The Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone call on Wednesday with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo, where they discussed China's so-called dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea, and underscored the U.S.' defense commitment to Manila.

"China's activities in the relevant waters are lawful and justified, and beyond reproach," Mao told a daily news briefing.

Mao emphasized that military cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines must not infringe upon China's sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, nor should Washington endorse the Philippines' illegal claims.

"China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, while maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea," she said.

In another development, Mao urged Manila to withdraw the Typhon missile system as soon as possible and stop going down the wrong path after it's reported that the U.S. has deployed Typhon missile launchers to a new location in the Philippines.

She called the introduction of the system, which is a strategic and offensive weapon, "a dangerous move" that will escalate regional tensions, provoke geopolitical confrontation and fuel an arms race.

It is also highly irresponsible toward both Filipino people and the wider Southeast Asian region, she said, calling on the Philippines to heed the calls of peoples and countries in the region and remove the system at an early date.