The US needs to stop stoking confrontation in the South China Sea, and stop destabilizing the region and escalating the tensions in the region, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday.

Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson. Picture from MFA PRC

Mao made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to the support from the US on the collision between the Philippine Coast Guard vessels and the Chinese Coast Guard vessel yesterday.

Mao reiterated China's position on the Philippine Coast Guard vessels' intrusion into the adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao: "What China did was to respond to the Philippines' infringement activities. We took those actions in order to defend our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. They are just, lawful and beyond reproach. "

"The US is not a party to the issue of the South China Sea and is in no position to interfere in the maritime issues between China and the Philippines. Still less, the US should not use the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to justify the violation of China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea." Mao said. (Ma Ziqian)

来源：中国青年报客户端