South China Sea not a hunting ground for forces outside the region: FM spokeswoman

 

(ECNS) –The South China Sea is the shared home for countries in the region, not a hunting ground for forces outside the region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday at the daily news briefing.

Mao stressed that with the concerted efforts of regional countries, the situation in the South China Sea has maintained overall stability.

The U.S.-Philippines defense guidelines is a bilateral arrangement, she said, adding that China firmly opposes any country’s move to meddle in the South China Sea issue to harm China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests by citing the guidelines. 

She pointed out that when regional countries are committed to mutual trust, solidarity, cooperation and properly handling differences, they have in their hand the key to peace and stability in the South China Sea.