China has accused the Philippines of “illegal provocations” in contested waters in a rare public comment on a diplomatic protest filed here. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the Philippines “infringes on China’s sovereignty and security” by sending military aircraft to patrol the Spratlys and reefs claimed by Beijing. In its diplomatic protest, the Department of Foreign Affairs opposed China’s illicit issuance of radio challenges at aircraft conducting regular maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea – an area of the South China Sea that Manila claims.

Co, A. S. (2020, August 24). China urges PH: 'Stop illegal provocations'. Panay News, p. 9.