China urges the Philippines to withdraw from illegally occupied Nansha Islands

BEIJING - The Philippines was told Friday to withdraw from China's islands in the South China Sea and to stop infringing on China's sovereignty and maritime rights.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying expressed serious concern after the Philippines said it would resume repair and reconstruction works on the illegally occupied islands.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Thursday that the work on the islands, including repairs to an airstrip, did not violate the Declaration on Conduct of parties in the South China Sea.

He also accused China of rushing construction projects, including land reclamation, in the South China Sea.

Hua said China was seriously concerned about the remarks by the Philippine side.

The Philippines is voicing unreasonable criticism about China's construction works on its own islands, while announcing it will resume repairs on illegal constructions on China's Nansha Islands, said Hua.

She said the Philippines' words and actions not only infringed China's sovereignty, but also exposed its hypocrisy.

In 2013, the Philippines filed an arbitration case at The Hague questioning the maritime boundaries claimed by China. Del Rosario said Manila expected a decision by February next year.

Hua reiterated that the government will neither accept nor participate in the arbitration. She also urged the Philippines to remember to behave in a way conducive to regional peace and stability.