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."

Tensions have erupted once again in the volatile South China Sea as the Philippines condemned China’s use of water cannons near Pag-asa Cays on May 22. The latest flashpoint in the long-running territorial dispute comes amid the deployment of China’s massive 12,

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".