MANILA, Philippines - A Malacañang spokesman on Monday downplayed reports that hardliners in the Chinese Military Academy are raring to teach China’s neighbors “a lesson” for intruding into the South China Sea.

In an interview, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the hardliners' stance is not the position of the Chinese government.

"It's not the official position of the Chinese government as conveyed to us. Our impression of it is that it was an expression of an opinion that was expressed by some Chinese sectors," she said.

Valte is counting on China's assurance that it is also committed to have the dispute resolved peacefully.

"China has continually committed to abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and that in the recent meeting of our foreign affairs secretary with the secretary with the Chinese foreign minister, they have [stated] number one...we will continue to have good relations with China despite this particular dispute and second, that both countries have committed to resolving the dispute peacefully and diplomatically. That is the position of their government as conveyed to us," she added.

A Vera Files report earlier quoted Shen Hong-Fang, professor and senior research fellow at the Center of Southeast Asian studies at Xiamen University, speaking about “a new upsurge” of Chinese nationalism set off by claims made by some Asian countries, including the Philippines, over territory China considers its own.

“Some suggested that it is the right time to adopt necessary measures to teach some countries a lesson,” Shen said, startling participants at the two-day Conference on the South China Sea held in Manila last week.

She added there are those who think it justifiable “for China to launch a war against the invaders.”

The Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia have staked claims over some of the 160 islands that constitute the Spratlys in the South China Sea. These countries, along with Indonesia which is a non-claimant, have filed protests before the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) over the “nine-dash line map” China submitted to prove its claim.

That map practically covers the whole of the South China Sea and encroaches over the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone of some its neighbors, the Philippines included.

Brunei and Taiwan are also claiming parts of the Spratlys.

In its note verbale last April 14, China accused the Philippines of having “started to invade and occupy some islands and reefs of China’s Nansha (Spratly) Islands.”

Asked by Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez about the role of the Chinese Military Academy in the leadership’s decisions, Shen said it is “a very influential group. “

The Chinese Military Academy, formally known as the Academy of Military Sciences (AMS), is the highest-level research institute and center of military sciences of the People’s Liberation Army which is a major force in the Chinese government.

A Philippine diplomat who requested anonymity said Shen would not be making such strong statements without the approval of the Chinese government.