China slams US for ‘hyping up’ South China Sea boat incident

August 9, 2023 - 9:47 AM
1550
A Chinese Coast Guard ship launches what the Coast Guard says is a warning water cannon spray in the direction of a Philippine vessel at an unknown location at sea in this screen grab taken from a video released on August 8, 2023. (China Coast Guard/Handout via Reuters)

 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.

RELATED: Philippines says China blocked, water-cannoned boat in South China Sea | Philippines demands China cease ‘unlawful’ activities in South China Sea

“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 U.S. to respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

—Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by William Maclean

RELATED: China tells Philippines to remove grounded warship in South China Sea | China’s Foreign Ministry urges US to respect China’s maritime rights