China slams US for ‘hyping up’ Ayungin Shoal incident

BEIJING — China's embassy in the Philippines on Tuesday slammed the United States for "gathering" its allies to "hype up" the South China Sea issue and a maritime incident between Chinese and Philippine vessels.

"South China Sea is not a 'safari park' for countries outside the region to make mischief and sow discord," the embassy said in a statement, while urging the US to respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

The Philippines said that on August 5, several Chinese Coast Guard and military vessels performed dangerous maneuvers against two supply ships and two Philippine Coast Guard escorts on their way to resupply the servicemen on board the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

TIMELINE: Chinese water cannons, illegal maneuvers vs. Philippine resupply mission

China claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, such as Ayungin Shoal. It has refused to recognize a international tribunal's ruling invalidating its massive claims over the resource-rich area. — Reuters