China slams Philippine defense department's statement as extremely vicious political provocation

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Tuesday slammed a Philippine defense department statement issued on July 31 as a political provocation of an extremely malign nature. This so-called statement is full of disinformation and smears designed to interfere in China's internal affairs, said spokesperson Lin Jian, adding China firmly opposes it. Lin said that a small handful of anti-China forces in the Philippines have engaged in massive political and public opinion manipulation, trying every means to mix right and wrong, in order to seek selfish political gains and cover up the Philippines' infringement activities at sea. "Their attempts will not succeed," said Lin, adding that this small handful of individuals cooked up this so-called statement, issued in the name of a governmental department, to take hostage and disrupt China-Philippines relations in violation of the Philippines' commitments made in recent diplomatic communication. "We once again urge these individuals to stop making provocations and creating trouble, and stop attacking and smearing China. Otherwise, they will bear the consequence for their despicable acts," said the spokesperson. "We'd like to stress once again that the implementation of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law provides better protection for all ethnic groups' lawful rights and interests, and will serve as a solid legal safeguard for the cause of ethnic unity and progress," Lin added.