The exchange comes as tension grows between between the capitals over repeated maritime disputes and confrontations in the busy South China âSea, which China claims almost âentirely as its own, despite overlapping âclaims â by regional countries.

Defending its oversight of foreign state-backed academic and cultural exchange programmes, the Philippine defence department last week pointed to Beijingâs national security law that compels cooperation with state intelligence agencies.

Its statement was âfilled with lies and malicious attacksâ, however, Chinaâs foreign ministry said in reply to questions on the matter from Reuters.

The ministry said a small group of people ârecklessly hijacked and undermined China-Philippines relationsâ, without identifying it.

âA small group of anti-China forces in the Philippines, seeking political gain and attempting to cover up their countryâs maritime violations, are resorting to political manipulation and media distortion,â it added.

In June, Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro called China âwickedâ, prompting Beijing to accuse him of pulling a âstunt to serve his own political self-interestâ.

Suspicions about Chinaâs activities in the Philippines have grown recently, with a former mayor, identified as a Chinese national with possible links to criminal syndicates, found guilty of human trafficking last year.

(Reporting by Liz Lee; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)