China urges the Philippines to return to ‘peaceful development’
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
A view of the Typhon missile system used during a Philippine-US military exercise early in 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
BEIJING – China’s Foreign Ministry urged the Philippines on Dec 26 to return to “peaceful development”, saying Manila’s decision to deploy a US-built, medium-range missile system in military exercises would only bring the risks of an arms race to the region.
The US Typhon system, which can be equipped with cruise missiles capable of striking Chinese targets, was brought in for joint exercises earlier in 2024.
On Dec 24, Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro said the Typhon’s deployment for joint exercises was “legitimate, legal and beyond reproach”.
Army chief Roy Galido said on Dec 23 that the Philippines was also planning to acquire its own medium-range missile system
Rivalry between China and the Philippines has grown in recent years
Long-time treaty allies Manila and Washington have also deepened military ties, further ratcheting up tensions.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said: “By cooperating with the United States in the introduction of Typhon, the Philippine side has surrendered its own security and national defence to others and introduced the risk of geopolitical confrontation and an arms race in the region, posing a substantial threat to regional peace and security.”
She added: “We once again advise the Philippine side that the only correct choice for safeguarding its security is to adhere to strategic autonomy, good neighbourliness and peaceful development.”
China will never sit idly by if its security interests were to be threatened, she told reporters at a regular news conference.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which is also claimed by several South-east Asian countries, apart from the Philippines. REUTERS
