China urges Philippines to withdraw from disputed Islands

The Philippines was told Friday to withdraw from islands disputed with China in the South China Sea, China Daily reported.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying expressed serious concern after the Philippines said it would resume repair and reconstruction works on the 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.
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.