MANILA - The Philippines is not seeking a fight or trouble in the South China Sea but will not be cowed into silence, submission or subservience, its Defence Ministry said on March 29, in its latest show of defiance in a heated row with China.

Recent Chinese statements show their isolation from the rest of the world on their “illegal and uncivilised activities” in the South China Sea, the Philippine Defence Ministry said in a statement.

“It also shows the inability of the Chinese government to conduct open, transparent and legal negotiations. Their repertoire consists only of patronising and, failing that, intimidating smaller countries,” the ministry added.

The statement was in response to its Chinese counterpart accusing the Philippines on March 28 of provocations, misinformation and treachery, after Manila accused Beijing of aggressive conduct in Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian on March 28 said the Philippines was to blame for the breakdown of relations, demanding its neighbour cease what it calls acts of infringement and provocation.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on March 28 upped the stakes in the escalating row, saying his country would implement unspecified countermeasures against “illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks” by the China Coast Guard. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea.

The battle of words stems from a series of stand-offs near the Second Thomas Shoal during Philippine resupply missions to a group of soldiers posted to guard a decaying warship, which was intentionally grounded on a reef 25 years ago to push a sovereignty claim. REUTERS