BEIJING - The Ministry of National Defense categorically denied on Wednesday that a Chinese fighter plane scared away Filipino fishermen in waters near the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

It was reported earlier this month that an unidentified fighter plane flew several meters above a boatload of Filipino fishermen, scaring them into leaving the fishing area in the waters near China's Nansha Islands, where the Philippines claims sovereignty.

According to The Associated Press, Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin declined to speculate on the aircraft's identity but claimed that Chinese vessels were responsible for most "incursions" near the Nansha Islands.

"We have noticed the news ... after checking and verifying, (we found) the report is totally out of thin air and groundless," ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said at a news conference.

"China insists on solving the South China Sea disputes through peaceful means and has remained restrained and prudent," said Geng.

"We hope countries concerned speak and act cautiously and do more for the peace and stability of the South China Sea region," he said.

Geng made the remarks when asked about Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's tough rhetoric in his State of the Nation address on Monday, in which he said that the Philippines was ready to defend its territorial claims in the South China Sea with beefed-up military forces.

China's stance on the South China Sea issue has been consistent and clear that China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and the surrounding waters. The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam lay claim to some islands and reefs in the area.

In his televised address, Aquino noted the efforts to bolster the Philippine military's capability, citing the recent purchase of a United States Coast Guard cutter and plans to acquire more patrol vessels, helicopters and weapons, according to the AP.

The Philippines has claimed Chinese forces have repeatedly "intruded" into Manila-claimed areas in the sea since February, and said it intends to bring the disputes before the United Nations' International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea. China opposes the plan and wants to hold bilateral negotiations.

Aquino is reportedly planning to visit China in late August or early September.

The Philippines and China are "still close friends" despite the territorial dispute, Raul Hernandez, spokesman for Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

"We have deep and broad relations with China, and we are committed to raise this to the next higher level," he said.

However, Chen Qinghong, a researcher with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said that Manila's diplomatic strategy seems very contradictory - it wants to benefit from the South China Sea disputes, while keeping a good relationship with China.

During his visit to China earlier this month, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said his country doesn't want the disputes to hurt relations with China.