BEIJING, May 16 -- China firmly opposes any country using the so-called bilateral treaty as an excuse to meddle in the South China Sea issue and undermine China's rights and interests, said a Chinese defense spokesperson on Tuesday.
Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when asked to comment on the Bilateral Defense Guidelines recently concluded by the US and the Philippines.
"Thanks to the joint efforts of regional countries, the current situation in the South China Sea remains stable generally. The South China Sea should be a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, rather than an arena for bloc confrontation launched by certain countries," said the spokesperson.
Then, he stressed thatChina has maintained a consistent and clear stance on the South China Sea issue.
"We firmly oppose any country using the so-called bilateral treaty as an excuse to meddle in the South China Sea issue and undermine China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," said Tan, adding that the Chinese military will pay close attention to pertinent trends and take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in tandem with maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.
