China sidesteps duterte claim of war threat over sea row

Here's a summary of the article:

China Sidesteps Duterte's Claim of War Threat Over Sea Row

China has downplayed the threat of war over the South China Sea dispute, contradicting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's recent warning that the country is prepared to go to war over the issue.

In a statement, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang, said that China and the Philippines have a "good neighborly relationship" and that the two countries should resolve their differences through peaceful means.

Lu's comments came after Duterte said in a speech that the Philippines is prepared to go to war over the South China Sea, which is claimed by both China and the Philippines. Duterte's statement was seen as a response to China's continued construction of artificial islands in the disputed waters.

The South China Sea dispute has been a major point of contention between China and its neighbors, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The Philippines has been a vocal critic of China's actions in the region, and has sought international arbitration to resolve the dispute.

In 2016, an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, saying that China's claims to the South China Sea have no legal basis. However, China has refused to recognize the ruling and has continued to assert its claims to the region.

The Philippines has been seeking to strengthen its military capabilities to counter China's growing presence in the region. In recent years, the country has acquired new military equipment and has been conducting joint exercises with the United States.

Despite the tensions, Lu said that China is willing to work with the Philippines to resolve their differences peacefully. He also called on the Philippines to respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Philippines has been seeking to balance its relations with China and the United States, which has been a major ally of the country. The country has been seeking to strengthen its military capabilities to counter China's growing presence in the region.

In conclusion, China has downplayed the threat of war over the South China Sea dispute, contradicting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's recent warning. China has called for peaceful resolution of the dispute, while the Philippines has been seeking to strengthen its military capabilities to counter China's growing presence in the region.