Philippine defence minister Gilberto Teodoro said Beijing’s position was not shared by other Asean members and reflected China’s longstanding stance. (EPA Images pic)BEIJING: Beijing accused Manila on Thursday of "erecting multiple obstacles" to its attendance at an Asean meeting in the Philippines this week, where China will be represented by an embassy attache.

While several countries, including the US, Japan and Australia, are sending their defence chiefs, China opted to send its Manila embassy defence attache.

"The Philippine side has allowed certain politicians to use public office for private ends and erected multiple obstacles to obstruct China's participation in the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus," a spokesperson for the Chinese defence ministry told a news conference.