Comicomment: South China Sea should not be wrestling ground for int'l politics

(ECNS)--The U.S. and Philippines on Tuesday launched a joint patrol in the South China Sea. Mao Ning, a spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when asked about the acts by the U.S. and the Philippines, told a routine daily press conference on Wednesday that "the Chinese side has made clear about the stance toward the Philippines and the United States," saying that the patrol should not harm China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

The South China Sea is one of the safest and freest waters for navigation in the world. Countries within the region should uphold mutual trust and unity, fostering cooperation and retaining the initiative to properly address disagreements. If the Philippines insists on turning the South China Sea into a wrestling ground for external forces, it will ultimately harm its own interests.

The South China Sea is the shared home for the countries in the region and should not be a wrestling ground for international politics. The United States, as a non-regional country, is driven by self-interest, provoking and creating disturbances in the South China Sea, deploying ships and aircraft to flex muscles. Its deeds are unjust and goes against international public opinion. Its attempt to stir up trouble in the South China Sea is destined to be in vain.