China denies readying for war with Philippines

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.