Beijing reiterates position on South China Sea

China defended its recent maritime law enforcement activities in waters near Ren'ai Reef and Huangyan Island on Wednesday, and decried the United States' endorsement of the Philippines' maritime provocation.

The US Department of State issued a statement related to the South China Sea on Sunday, attacking China's actions over the two maritime islets.

"For some time, in seeking selfish geopolitical interests, the US has incited, supported and cooperated with the Philippines in the latter's infringement and provocation at sea, and repeatedly sought to threaten China by citing the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty," China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news conference.