By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) - Amid calls for expulsion of Chinese diplomats from Manila, Beijing on Monday called for negotiations with the Philippines to handle maritime disputes, state media reported.
Rejecting accusations leveled by the Philippines, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said: “We urge the Philippines to stop making irresponsible remarks, face facts, and return to the path of negotiation and consultation to properly handle maritime disputes.”
Wang said Manila’s accusations were “baseless and completely false.”
Manila has “repeatedly spread rumors, deliberately tarnishing China's image in an attempt to mislead the international community. Such behavior is futile,” he added.
Beijing’s call for negotiations to settle disputes in the South China Sea with Manila came after a top national security official from the Philippines called on Friday for the expulsion of Chinese diplomats over an alleged recording of a call with a Filipino military commander who discussed disputes on the sea.
The demand came after Chinese officials claimed they possess an audio tape and transcript of an alleged phone call with the Philippines Western Command Commander Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, regarding the handling of disputes between the two countries in the South China Sea.
Beijing has threatened to publicly release the tape "within days," while Carlos has gone on leave from his duties.
The phone call between a Chinese Embassy diplomat and Carlos mentions that the Filipino commander said the entire chain of command of the Philippines military "was on board with the new model" for peacefully managing the situation in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
China and the Philippines have conflicting claims over the Second Thomas Shoal — also known as the Ayungin Shoal, Bai Co May, and Ren'ai Jiao — a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
Vessels from China and the Philippines have also collided several times in the recent past, including when Manila shipped supplies to a rusting World War II-era warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, which Beijing wants the Philippines to remove.
The US and its allies have backed Manila over its claims against Beijing.