China’s foreign minister warns Philippines over US missile deployment
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the move could fuel regional tensions and spark an arms race.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned the Philippines over the deployment of a US intermediate-range missile, saying such a move could fuel regional tensions and spark an arms race.
The United States deployed its Typhon missile system
It was not fired during the exercises, a Philippine military official later said, without giving details on how long it would stay in the country.
China-Philippines relations are now at a crossroads and dialogue and consultation are the right way, Mr Wang told Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo during a meeting in Vientiane on July 26, the capital of Laos where top diplomats of world powers have gathered ahead of two summits.
Mr Wang said relations between the countries are facing challenges because the Philippines has “repeatedly violated the consensus of both sides and its own commitments”.
“If the Philippines introduces the US intermediate-range missile system, it will create tension and confrontation in the region and trigger an arms race, which is completely not in line with the interests and wishes of the Filipino people,” Mr Wang said.
The Philippines’ military and its foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Mr Wang’s remarks.
China and the Philippines are locked in a confrontation in the disputed South China Sea
Mr Wang said China has recently reached a temporary arrangement with the Philippines on the transport and replenishment of humanitarian supplies to Ren’ai Jiao in order to maintain the stability of the maritime situation.
China refers to the Second Thomas Shoal as Ren’ai Jiao.
Philippine vessels on July 27 successfully completed their latest mission to the shoal unimpeded, its foreign ministry said in a statement. REUTERS
