China says Philippines violating South China Sea code

A fisherman watches sunset in the South China Sea in the coastal town of Masinloc, in northern Philippines April 21, 2015. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has accused the Philippines of violating a 13-year-old informal code of conduct in the South China Sea with its building work on disputed islets, firing back again after repeated criticism of China's own construction work.

China and the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed an agreement in 2002 to refrain from occupying uninhabited reefs and shoals in the sea, and from building new structures that would complicate disputes.