China accused the United States of using the Philippines to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, four days after two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels experienced aggressive actions from the China Coast Guard (CCG) near Pag-asa Island Sandy Cay 2 on Wednesday.

In a press briefing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning warned that China would take necessary steps to protect its territory.

“The US should refrain from using the Philippines to create trouble in the South China Sea and stop undermining peace and tranquility in the South China Sea,” Mao said.

The accusation came after US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson's social media post on Thursday condemning the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard.

"The China Coast Guard's aggressive actions against a lawful Philippine civilian mission near Sandy Cay recklessly endangered lives and threatened regional stability. We stand with our Philippine allies in support of international law and a free and open Indo Pacific," Carlson said.

Philippine officials said that CCG water cannoned and sideswiped BRP Datu Sanday while on a routine mission with BRP Datu Pagbuaya to collect sand samples in Sandy Cay as part of a marine scientific research.

BFAR said in a statement on Thursday that despite aggressive interference, the Philippine scientific team was able to complete its mission.

"Despite the aggressive interference, dangerous maneuvers, and illegal acts by the CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels, the Philippine scientific team was able to complete its operations in Pag-Asa Cays 1, 2 and 3," BFAR said.

China said the Philippines continued to illegally send people to Tiexian Jiao, its term for Sandy Cay, which was allegedly under their territory, insisting that their actions were fully necessary, legitimate, and lawful.

“The Philippines needs to immediately stop its infringement activities and provocations. Otherwise, China will make a resolute response,” Mao said.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) debunked China's claim that their recent rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal were approved by the CCG.

“We firmly reject China Coast Guard’s false narrative that our operations require their permission or supervision. This is clearly meant to mislead the international community and project control where they have no basis to do so,” AFP said in a press statement. Yzabela Velez-White/DMS