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China was criticised by the Philippines and the United States
this week after Manila said there were about 220 vessels likely
manned by Chinese maritime militia anchored in disputed waters.
"Within our region tensions are rising because some external
countries are bent on playing fusty geopolitical games," the
Chinese embassy said on Twitter.
"It is a pity that some Asian country, which has disputes in the
East China Sea and is driven by the selfish aim to check China's
revitalisation, willingly stoops as a strategic vassal of the
U.S.," it said.
The comment was a direct response to a Twitter remark by Japan's
ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, who on Tuesday
said his country "opposes any action that heightens tensions" in
the South China Sea, and supports international efforts to keep
the waters peaceful and open.
China's extensive territorial claims in the East and South China
Seas have become a priority issue in an increasingly testy Sino-U.S.
relationship and are a security concern for Japan.
The Philippines complained to China at the weekend about what it
called the "swarming and threatening presence" of Chinese
vessels at the Whitsun Reef.
China's mission in the Philippines said those were fishing
vessels sheltering from rough seas. It also criticised the
United States for "fanning flames and provoking confrontation in
the region".
Philippine military chief Cirilito Sobejana on Wednesday said he
had instructed the navy to deploy more boats "to increase our
visibility and ensure the security and safety of our fishermen."
Sobejana said China's defence attache had met Philippine
military representatives on Wednesday after being asked to
explain the maritime militia, but he had yet to briefed on the
meeting.
(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty)
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