In the press conference on January 23, 2025 of the Foreign Ministry of China, the spokesperson Mao Ning answers the question about the new U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his communication with the Philippines.

During the conference, AFP asks, "The new U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a call yesterday with his Philippines counterpart Enrique Manalo. A State Department spokesperson said that Rubio underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines under the countries’ mutual defense treaty and that the two also discussed Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea.” Does the Foreign Ministry have a reaction to this call?"

Mao Ning answers, "China’s activities in relevant waters are legitimate, lawful, and fully justified. The U.S. is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in the maritime issues between China and the Philippines. The military cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines should not undermine China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, still less should such cooperation support or advance the Philippines’ illegal claims. China will continue to take necessary steps to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea."

(Source: Foreign Ministry of The P.R.C.)