China will be more determined to defend its own sovereignty and security, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea despite the US attempts to make waves in the region, a Chinese defense ministry spokesperson said Thursday. Commenting on the US side’s sending two aircraft carriers to the South China Sea for exercises and other moves, Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, told a regular press conference that the US actions have fully exposed its hegemonic mentality and double standards. The United States portrays itself as an “arbitrator” of the South China Sea issue, but is, in fact, a disruptor of regional peace, a destroyer of regional cooperation, and an instigator of international tensions, said Ren.

China to safeguard peace in South China Sea despite US disruption. (2020, August 1). Manila Bulletin, p. 3.