China denounces US, Japan meddling in South China Sea

​​​​​​​By Anadolu staff

China denounced the US and Japan on Friday for meddling in the South China Sea, according to state media.

"China believes that defense cooperation between countries should not target any third party or disrupt regional peace and stability," the Xinhua News quoted Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang, who was responding to a recently announced $500 million in US military aid for the Philippines and recent Japanese and Philippines joint military drills.

He said the US and Japan keep stirring up trouble and muddying the waters in the South China Sea.

Zhang criticized Manila and said it is "inviting wolves into the house and willingly acting as their pawns."

He said Beijing has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, known as the South China Sea Islands, and their adjacent waters.

"We will take legitimate countermeasures against deliberate infringements and provocations to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," he said.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid