Anti-China figures warned amid Teodoro sanctions

A Chinese defense spokesman said on Tuesday that China's sanctions against Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his family members are a legitimate move to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Chen Xi, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at an online news briefing in response to Teodoro's vow to continue performing his duties despite the sanctions, which China's Foreign Ministry announced last week.

Chen said the sanctions imposed on Teodoro and his family members are "entirely of his own making".

"If a small number of anti-China figures are allowed to act recklessly, they will directly harm the Philippines' national economy and people's livelihood, and have a destructive impact on relations between the two countries and their militaries," Chen said.

"We advise these people to behave themselves and stop their blustering political shows," the spokesman added.