China on Monday warned the Philippines against its attempts to "hype up" the dispute between both nations over territories in the South China Sea.

Beijing also dismissed Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's claim that China has started new construction work on the disputed Panatag Shoal ( Scarborough Shoal).  

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China's Foreign Ministry has asked Manila to refrain from hyping up the situation in the South China Sea while acknowledging that the Chinese Coast Guard vessels and some fishing boats are operating in the region.

"The Chinese side has maintained the patrol by coast guard vessels in relevant waters and there have also been some fishing boats for fishing operations in the relevant waters and the situation have always been like that, and has not changed," China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

On Friday, Duterte expressed "concern" over China's new construction on the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. "I think they are starting in (Bajo de) Masinloc and this will be another ruckus there. There seem to be new barges coming in and they suspect that's going to be another construction," he said.

In July, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against China in favor of Philippines in a long-standing territorial dispute over South China Sea. Beijing has, however, dismissed the ruling. The United States and Japan have repeatedly urged China to respect the ruling.

TagsSouth China Sea, South China Sea Dispute, china, Philippines, Scarborough Shoal