BEIJING, Aug. 8 -- "We require the Philippine side to stop its provocations and propaganda, and stop ganging up with others to stir up troubles in the South China Sea," said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a press briefing on Friday.

He made the above remarks when commenting on the Philippine-Indian joint naval exercise conducted near China's Huangyan Dao, which was designed to enhance the interoperability of the two militaries and demonstrate India's support for the Philippines.

"We oppose using the South China Sea issue as a pretext to provoke confrontation, and believe that military cooperation between relevant countries should not target any third party or undermine regional peace and stability," the spokesperson stated.

He slammed that the Philippine side courted external forces to make bluffs, in an attempt to destabilize the region for its own gain. Such actions completely contradict the shared aspirations of regional countries for peace, development and stability.

"We require the Philippine side to stop its provocations and propaganda, stop ganging up with others to stir up troubles in the South China Sea, and return to the right track of resolving differences through dialogue and consultation," the spokesperson added.