Arabic version: الصين تطلب من أستراليا وقف مزاعم التوتر في بحر الصين الجنوبي

According to ABC News, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has demanded Australia stop “exaggerating tensions and inciting confrontation” in the South China Sea after Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticised Beijing’s conduct in the region.

The exchange followed a physical confrontation on Monday between the China Coast Guard and Philippine Navy at the Second Thomas Shoal. China and the Philippines blamed each other for the incident. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said a navy member was injured, while footage showed the two sides briefly engaging from inflatable boats.

Senator Wong said on Wednesday that Australia was concerned by “aggression” and “destabilising conduct”. She said regional countries should work for peace and stability, encourage compliance with international law, and support safe and professional conduct at sea and in the air.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said a “small handful of countries” opposed China without regard for the facts whenever there was a disturbance at sea. He said China wanted relevant countries to respect regional efforts to maintain peace and stability.

Senator Wong met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday night and raised Australian concerns over China’s missile test earlier this month. She is also expected to address freedom of navigation and China’s military build-up during an ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting speech in Manila.

The US State Department condemned what it called China’s “dangerous and aggressive actions” against Philippine navy personnel. The European Union delegation to the Philippines said it was deeply concerned by the increase in tensions and dangerous incidents in the South China Sea.