BEIJING - China has lodged strong protest to the Philippines after its Coast Guard spokesperson maliciously spread disinformation and smeared China's image in a social media post, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular news briefing that China strongly condemns the Philippine official's move, adding that some individuals in the Philippine military, driven by personal political motives, have repeatedly made outrageous and absurd remarks that fan confrontation. "Such behavior is despicable," Guo said.

"We urge relevant individuals to immediately cease their provocations, stop distorting the facts and confusing right and wrong, or they will surely pay the price for their actions," he added.