MANILA, Philippines — In response to Washington, the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Saturday said that it “unswervingly upholds” its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in disputed part of the South China Sea.

“China’s sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea have been formed in the course of a long history, and are in line with international law and practice,” the Chinese embassy said in a statement. 

“China unswervingly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” it added.