China ramps up South China Sea threats against US in response to 'pure act of provocation'
Chinese state media hit out at the US Navy for sailing one of its warships past a disputed reef in the South China Sea.
Unprofessional Intercept of U.S. B-52 over South China Sea
China has been ramping up tensions across the South China Sea as its national media slammed the United States for what it perceived as "a pure act of provocation".
The US has been showing its support to the Philippines in recent weeks as Manila contends with growing hostility from Beijing over control of Second Thomas Shoal, a reef in the contended South China Sea.
The Chinese Government has warned the Philippines it should not be emboldened by what state media dubbed "imagined support".
An op-ed in the Global Times, a Chinese tabloid with known government ties, issued the warning as it slammed the US Navy for saying a warship near the reef.
They claimed USS Gabrielle Gifford had breached Chinese sovereignty over the reef by operating nearby without authorization from Beijing.
READ MORE: John Kerry accused of 'farting' during Cop28 climate change speech as video goes viral
The Philippines have held de facto control over Second Thomas Shoal by maintaining a small contingent of marines in the area.
In recent weeks, Manila has seen its claim over the reef challenged as China attempted to dislodge the outpost by blocking resupply efforts.
However, the United States has reiterated its support of its oldest ally in the Pacific despite China's attempts to undermine the alliance.
It has been claimed that the US would rather have the country "sacrifice itself on behalf of America" than face a clash with Beijing.
State broadcaster CCTV also issued a warning to Manila over its close ties to Washington DC by sharing a quip from the recently-deceased former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
DON'T MISS:
China rages US Navy warship 'illegally intruded' into South China Sea waters [RESPONSE]
China poised to 'escalate' hostility as Biden failing to use key 'US leverage' [EXCLUSIVE]
Moment Chinese fighter jet comes within 10ft of fatal crash with US B-52 bomber [VIDEO]
The broadcaster warned: "It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal."
And another outlet, the state-backed China Daily, on Monday slammed the US as an "agent provocateur" by intruding in what it claims to be Chinese sovereign waters.
China has staked claim to virtually all of the reefs and other outcroppings in the South China Sea, building some into islands with runways that could be used by the military.
Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also say they are the rightful owners of territory in the same waters in a complex web of overlapping claims.
The US has long been the major military power patrolling the South China Sea, an important shipping lane and fishing grounds, operating out of bases in the Pacific.
China's emergence as a military power and its ambitions to be a regional and global power are challenging American long-standing dominance.
Follow our social media accounts here on facebook.com/ExpressUSNews and @expressusnews
