China responds after The Philippines on Thursday criticised a "high-risk" manoeuvre by a Chinese vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in a rare incident involving warships from the two navies. "These remarks from the Philippine side disregard the facts and distort the truth", says a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, adding: "China urges the Philippines to immediately cease its infringements and provocations, and not to challenge China's firm determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests". The Scarborough Shoal -- a triangular chain of reefs and rocks in the contested South China Sea -- has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES