China Opposes Aquino's Remarks on South China Sea Disputes, Calls It Ridiculous

The Chinese government has expressed disagreement with the remarks of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on the South China Sea disputes, as a Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged him to stop with his provocations, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

"I'm shocked about such ridiculous and unreasonable comments and strongly oppose them," Spokesperson Hua Chunying told the media during a press briefing on June 3, Wednesday.

In his speech during his Japan tour, Aquino likened China to Nazi Germany in relation to the territorial disputes of the two countries in the South China Sea and called on the United States to help in stopping China's activities in the disputed waters.

Hua cited various historical facts and accused the Philippines of colluding with countries outside the region and smeared China for its own interests.

Hua added that the Philippines has been illegally occupying some of the islands in the South China Sea since the 1970s and used its stranded warship near the Ren'ai Reef as an installation since 1999 in its effort to occupy the reef.

The report said that the Philippines dispatched military vessels in 2012 to disrupt regular fishing activities of Chinese fishermen in waters off the Huangyan Island.

Hua also accused the Philippines of violating its commitment in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and disregarded the consensus reached by the two countries when it filed an arbitration case in 2013.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson warned the Philippines to stop the provocation and urged the country to go back to negotiation and consultation.

The spokesperson made an assurance that China will keep its promises, as it is a responsible country and that they are committed to resolving disputes through direct negotiation with relevant countries.

Hua said that the Chinese government will continue to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.