Chinese media warns Philippines of 'counterstrike' in disputed South China Sea spat

The Philippines has been accused of using the ASEAN group of nations as an 'accomplice' in the violation of its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea on Saturday.

Chinese state-media accused the Philippines, and warned the nation of a potential 'counterstrike'.

The editorial in the overseas edition of the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of China's ruling Communist Party, came as the ASEAN was due to meet in Brunei, with disputes in the Sea expected to dominate the meeting.

According to the Daily Times, the Philippines, which has sought closer ties with Washington amid territorial disputes with Beijing, has called on the United States as 'patron.

The editorial said it has used ASEAN as an 'accomplice', adding that the Philippines was guilty of 'seven sins'.

The sins included the 'illegal occupation' of parts of the Spratly Islands, strengthening control over disputed coral reefs, inviting foreign companies to develop oil and gas resources in disputed waters, and promoting the 'internationalisation' of the Sea.

The editorial said that if the Philippines continued to provoke China, a counterstrike will be hard to avoid.

According to the report, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez alarmed at the editorial's warning, said that "there is no place in the relations of civilised nations to use such provocative language".

He singled out the use of the term 'counterstrike', saying China had an obligation to pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes, the report added.