China says Philippines a 'troublemaker' in South China Sea

China urged the Philippines on Friday to immediately halt its infringing and provocative acts as well as media hype, after Manila provoked incidents and created tensions for publicity in China's territorial waters off Huangyan Dao.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the Philippine side had once again arranged for journalists to take part in its infringing activities, deliberately provoked incidents, exploited them for publicity and heightened tensions at sea.

"This once again proves that the Philippines is a disruptor of peace and stability and a troublemaker in the South China Sea," Lin said at a regular news briefing.

Noting that Huangyan Dao is an inherent territory of China, Lin said that the measures taken by China to safeguard its rights and security were reasonable and lawful, and that Chinese personnel had acted in a professional, standard-compliant manner which is beyond reproach.