US is not a party to South China Sea issue, says Chinese foreign ministry

BEIJING (Reuters) - A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that the United States is not a party to South China Sea issues and warned the Philippines that wooing other countries to provoke confrontation will undermine regional stability.

The United States pledged funding of $500 million for the Philippines' military and coast guard in a big show of support for Manila as it faces Chinese actions in disputed waters in the South China Sea.

"China has repeatedly stated its position that the United States is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to intervene in maritime issues between the two countries," said Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry.

(Reporting by Liz Lee; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Himani Sarkar)