China allows no attempt to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea to succeed

China will not allow any attempt to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea to succeed, the Ministry of National Defense said on Saturday.

Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang made the remarks at an online news briefing, criticizing recent so-called "joint patrols" conducted by the Philippines, the United States, Japan and Australia in waters and airspace near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea as a source of tensions.

He also rebutted a recent joint statement by the Philippines and the US that claimed adverse effects from China's activities in the South China Sea in relation to regional peace and stability and the economies of the "Indo-Pacific" and beyond.

Zhang said certain countries outside the region have come from far away to flex their military muscle in the South China Sea and deliberately fan flames and stir up trouble, calling them the "source of tensions".

He accused the Philippines of stirring up trouble at sea by relying on external forces, repeatedly infringing on and provoking China and harming the shared interests of regional countries.

"The Philippines is a troublemaker and a saboteur of peace through and through," Zhang said.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters, and holds sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters," he added.

China's normal activities in waters under its jurisdiction and its necessary measures to safeguard sovereignty and maritime rights and interests are legitimate, lawful, professional, restrained and beyond reproach, Zhang said.

According to Zhang, the Chinese military remains on high alert and will take resolute countermeasures against any infringement and provocation. He also stressed that China will not allow any attempt to disrupt peace and stability in the South China Sea to succeed and will safeguard peace and stability in the region.