China on Thursday urged a small group of individuals in the Philippines to immediately stop provocations and smearing China, warning that such actions are the primary cause of the current downward spiral in bilateral relations.

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Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks at a routine press briefing when asked to comment on recent false information spread by a spokesperson of a certain department of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Guo stated that China has already lodged stern protests to the Philippines regarding the official's comments. He accused the individual of repeatedly making irresponsible and baseless remarks and keeping fanning inflammatory provocation and confrontation out of motives, which constitute a grave violation of China's national interest and dignity.

"China firmly opposes and will not tolerate this," Guo said, adding that it is the duty of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines to defend the country's interests and dignity. "The remarks and moves by that spokesperson and a handful of individuals in the Philippine military are also detrimental to the relations and mutual trust between China and the Philippines. It's their behavior that primarily led to the downward spiral of bilateral ties."

China urged the Philippines to take effective measures to undo the egregious impact, lest they disrupt normal diplomatic communication or even further harm bilateral ties.

"We also call on these individuals to immediately stop provoking and creating trouble, stop their attacks and smearing of China, and stop their collaborating with anti-China forces outside the region," Guo said. "Otherwise, they will inevitably bear the consequences for their despicable actions."