"China’s actions in the South China Sea threaten regional stability", United States Embassy in the Philippines said after the Chinese Coast Guard hurt two Filipino soldiers stationed at the grounded World War II vessel in a recent incident in Ayungin Shoal.

In a statement, Lee Lipton, United States Ambassador to the Philippines, condemned China’s dangerous and escalatory actions at Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) on Monday.

"The United States stands with the Philippines, its oldest treaty Ally in Southeast Asia, as a force for peace and prosperity. China’s actions in the South China Sea threaten regional stability and stand in sharp contrast to Philippine forces’ professionalism and discipline," he said.

"We join the Philippines’ call for China’s Navy, Coast Guard, and maritime militia to stop their illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions in the South China Sea," he added.

However, the Chinese Embassy in Manila "firmly rejects and condemns" what it called "baseless accusations" by the US Embassy in Manila.

"The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue, yet it tries every means to stir up tension in the South China Sea, sowing discord and fanning the flames in the region, thereby undermining the joint efforts of regional countries to manage maritime differences," it stated.

"We urge the US side to immediately stop maliciously smearing and criticizing China's legitimate and lawful rights-protection and law-enforcement actions," added the Chinese Embassy.

It also noted that the "China will firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and adhere to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes through negotiation and consultation between the directly concerned parties. Any threats or provocations are futile and will never succeed." Robina Asido/PHS