China's foreign ministry on Friday urged the Philippines to immediately stop "infringement and provocation" in the South China Sea or face China's "resolute response." The remarks came a day after Beijing and Manila traded accusations following a confrontation between two of their vessels in contested waters of the South China Sea.

The Philippines seriously violated China's sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Mao said at a regular news conference, adding that the Chinese side's response was "legitimate and lawful".