China demands Philippines ensure Chinese diplomats perform their duties normally, says foreign ministry

China demands that the Philippines cease being provocative and allow Chinese diplomats to perform their duties normally, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.

China was responding to the Philippines national security adviser calling for Chinese embassy officials to be expelled. The adviser cited an alleged leak of a phone conversation with a senior Philippines military official about a purported deal with Beijing to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea.