BEIJING (Kyodo) -- China took issue Thursday with a reported plan by the Philippines and Vietnam to launch joint military exercises and patrols in waters claimed by China, warning them that taking such action could escalate the territorial dispute and damage peace.Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei also said that is in the fundamental interest of claimants ''to maintain the peace and stability in the South China Sea'' and that the joint exercises and patrols would complicate the territorial issue.
He reiterated China's stance that it has ''indisputable sovereignty'' over the Spratly Islands and their adjacent waters where the two countries reportedly plan to hold their joint exercises and patrols.
Earlier this week, Philippine media reported that Philippine military spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay disclosed the plan following the March 11-14 visit to Vietnam of a Philippine Navy delegation led by its chief Vice Adm. Alexander Pama. Read More
