A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday (July 31) that the United States is not a party to South China Sea issues and warned the Philippines that wooing other countries to provoke confrontation will undermine regional stability.

The United States pledged funding of $500 million for the Philippines' military and coast guard in a big show of support for Manila as it faces Chinese actions in disputed waters in the South China Sea.

"China has made its position clear on many occasions. The United States is not a party to South China Sea and has no right to intervene in maritime issues between China and the Philippines," said Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry.

Lin also warned that the Philippines should "realize that bringing in extra-territorial countries to provoke confrontation in the South China Sea will only undermine regional stability and aggravate tensions".

(Production: Xiaoyu Yin)