BEIJING, Nov. 7 -- "China will neither tolerate the blackmail by those who provoke first and play the victim, nor indulge the provocation by those who stir up troubles in collusion with outside powers," said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), at a press briefing on Friday.

Jiang Bin made the remarks when asked to comment on the media reports that the Philippines continuously rallied countries outside the region to conduct joint patrols and military exercises in the South China Sea, and it clamored for establishing a so-called task force to deal with China's "coercive" behavior. 

记者：据报道，近期菲律宾持续拉拢有关域外国家在南海开展联合巡航、演习，打造所谓"特遣部队"，声称意在应对中国的"胁迫"行为。请问发言人有何评论？

"We hold that defense and security cooperation between relevant countries should neither target or harm the interests of any third party, nor undermine regional peace and stability. The root cause for tensions in the South China Sea is that the Philippine side frequently draws in outside forces to conduct infringement and provocation," the spokesperson stated. 

He pointed out that the historical context and the rights and wrongs of the South China Sea issue are clear. China rejects any unfounded accusations that propagate false narratives and distort legal facts, and will not give up efforts to uphold peace, stability and development through coordination. 

"China stands firm and resolute in safeguarding our territorial sovereignty and protecting our maritime rights and interests. We urge the Philippine side to stop undermining joint efforts by regional countries in pursuing peace and development, and cease its infringement, provocation and propaganda. Otherwise, the higher it jumps, the harder it will fall," the spokesperson added.

蒋斌：我们一贯认为，国家间的防务安全合作不应针对第三方或损害第三方利益，不应破坏地区和平稳定。菲方拉拢域外势力频繁侵权挑衅，是导致南海局势紧张的根源。南海问题的历史脉络和是非曲直非常清楚，我们不接受一切虚假叙事、歪曲法理的无端指责，不纵容恶人告状、以小讹大的碰瓷讹诈，不允许勾连搅局、生乱滋事的挑衅行径，不放弃维护和平、稳定、发展的协作努力。中方维护自身领土主权和海洋权益的意志坚定不移。我们敦促菲方停止破坏地区国家求和平、谋发展的共同努力，停止侵权挑衅和煽宣炒作，否则只能是跳得越高、摔得越狠。