China urged the United States to refrain from using the Philippines as a pawn to destabilize the South China Sea, Xinhua reported.

 The Philippines also needs to refrain from being manipulated by the United States, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily news briefing when answering a query on the inappropriate remarks made by the U.S. side concerning the recent collision between Chinese and Philippine boats in the South China Sea.

Mao noted that Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Ren'ai Jiao.