PLA drills on South China Sea: Philippines warns Beijing of 'severest response'
Manila: The Philippine foreign secretary has warned China that it might face severe response in case the ongoing Chinese military exercises in the disputed South China Sea spill over to Philippine territory.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said in a statement: "Do not impinge on Philippine territory."
Teodoro Locsin Jr said since July 1 China's People's Liberation Army has been staging exercises off the Paracel Islands.
"Should the exercises spill over to Phillipine territory than China is forewarned that it will be met with the severest response, diplomatic and whatever else is appropriate," he warned.
This is one of the strongest warnings given by the nation to China in recent times.
He said the country will continue to look at China as 'nearest and biggest' trading partner.
"We call the erring partners to refrain from escalating tensions," he said.
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