00:00China has defended his decision to sanction Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro,
00:06accusing him of making remarks that harmed China's interests and strained bilateral relations.
00:13Beijing's response came after Teodoro said he will keep speaking out against what he called
00:19China's wickedness a day after the sanctions were announced.
00:25China said the measures apply to Teodoro and his close relatives,
00:29citing what he described as repeated comments that distorted facts and undermined ties between the two countries.
00:36At last month's Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore,
00:39Teodoro described China as a severe threat to the Philippines, both territorially and politically.
00:45Meanwhile, Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazzaro said Manila would seek clarification from Beijing,
00:51saying the sanctions were unjustified.
00:54The exchange is the latest sign of strain in relations between the two countries,
00:59which have repeatedly clashed over competing claims in the South China Sea.
01:04Manila has accused Beijing of aggressive actions in disputed waters,
01:08while China says the Philippines has repeatedly encroached on its territory.
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