China Saturday denied that it was preparing to go to war with the Philippines.
China's defence ministry denied reports that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) units had entered level-2 combat readiness, reported Xinhua.
Online media reports said Friday that the PLA's Guangzhou Military Area Command and the South China Sea Fleet have entered Level II combat readiness.
A press release published by the ministry's official website Saturday said that those reports were not true.
China has had a month-long maritime standoff with the Philippines in the South China Sea over a dispute on the Huangyan Island, to which both claim ownership.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks