China says Philippine 'provocations' cause of South China Sea tensions

China on Thursday blamed the Philippines' actions for recent rising tension between the two sides in the hotly contested South China Sea.

At a regular press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian accused the Philippines of "stirring up trouble and making provocation" on the South China Sea issue.

Beijing and Manila have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the strategic waterway and there have been repeated confrontations between their vessels near contested reefs in recent months.