The Chinese government, through its Foreign Ministry, has reiterated its opposition to the United States’ deployment of intermediate-range missiles in the Philippines.
Speaking at a regular press conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “China firmly opposes the US’s deployment of the land-based Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Asia-Pacific, including the Philippines, whatever its form.”
“The deployment of offensive strategic weapon at other countries’ doorstep by a nuclear power seriously disrupts regional peace and stability, undermines other countries’ legitimate security interest, and contravenes people’s aspiration for peace and development,” Mao said.
The US deployed the Typhon system, which can be equipped with cruise missiles capable of striking Chinese targets, in April this year.
China has since demanded its removal, and Russia has joined in condemning the first deployment of the system to the Indo-Pacific, accusing Washington of fueling an arms race.
“The US transported the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system to the Philippines this April. It was the first time the US deployed Mid-Range Capability missile system outside its territory and in the Asia-Pacific since the end of the Cold War,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
“It was also the first time the US deployed strategic weapon of this kind after it withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019,” she added.
The US, however, has no immediate plans to withdraw the Typhon mid-range missile system deployed in the Philippines despite the demand of China, Reuters earlier reported.
GMA News Online reached out to the US Embassy in Manila for comment.
“We hope that relevant parties will see the high sensitivity and harm of this issue, oppose the US’s attempt and move to heighten antagonism and confrontation and stoke arms race in the region, and jointly uphold the security and stability of the region,” Mao said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier said he wants the Typhon mid-range missile system to stay in the Philippines “forever.”
The Chinese official was also asked to comment after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Beijing’s “increasingly dangerous” actions in the South China Sea and voiced support for freedom of navigation as he met leaders of the ASEAN bloc.
In response, Mao said that “China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law.””
“China and parties to the South China Sea have every capability and wisdom to properly address disputes through dialogue and consultation, and jointly get the situation at sea under control,” she said.
“The US and individual countries outside the region are upgrading deployment of weapons and military activities in the South China Sea to incite confrontation and create tensions. They are the biggest source of instability in the South China Sea,” she added. —KG, GMA Integrated News
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