China has issued a stern warning to the Philippines after the Southeast Asian country announced that it will lease Japanese planes to patrol the South China Sea.

China said the Philippines should not challenge the country's sovereignty and security interests as the Chinese government expressed opposition to the Philippines' plan to patrol the South China Sea.

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Philippine President Benigno Aquino III announced on Wednesday that the government will leave five Japanese aircraft to patrol the disputed South China Sea.

"We have noticed relevant media reports. China resolutely opposes the Philippines' move if it aims to challenge China's sovereignty and security interests," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei at a regular news briefing.

China is also on high alert for Japan's actions, especially in leasing Japanese planes to the Philippines, considering that Japan is a non-claimant country in the South China Sea dispute.

Hong demanded that Jaapn be prudent in word and deeds and not meddle in issues involving the South China Sea. He added that China wants Japan to refrain from doing actions that will affect regional peace and stability.

The official Xinhua news agency has reported that China and other claimant countries have already agreed on win-win approach to resolve the disputes.

The report said China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and the Philippines have agreed to peacefully negotiate while the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China continue to work together to ensure the region's stability and peace are maintained.

Japan and the Philippines recently signed an agreement that would allow the Japanese government to sell military equipment to the Philippines, becoming the first of its kind between the two nations.

Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin clarified that the agreement with Japan has nothing to do with the South China Sea dispute and is not directed against any country.

Tagschina, South China Sea, Philippines, Japan, south china sea disputes