Ministry of Defense: opposes meddling in the South China Sea issue under the pretext of so-called bilateral treaties. It is reported that the United States and the Philippines recently reached "bilateral Defense guidelines" and formally made it clear that the "US-Philippine Joint Defense Treaty" covers the South China Sea. Defense Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said today that we firmly oppose any country meddling in the South China Sea issue under the pretext of so-called bilateral treaties and harming China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Chinese army closely follows relevant developments and will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.