FALCON POWERS – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned the Philippines against deploying U.S. intermediate-range missiles, saying such a move could fuel regional tensions and trigger an arms race.
The United States had earlier this year sent the Typhoon missile system to the Philippines as part of joint military exercises. A Philippine military official later said the missiles were not fired during the drills but did not provide details on how long they would remain in the country.
During a meeting in Vientiane on Friday, Wang told Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo that China-Philippines relations have reached a crossroads and the only way to avoid conflict and confrontation is through dialogue and consultation.
Wang said the countries’ relations are facing challenges because the Philippines “has repeatedly violated the consensus between the two sides and its commitments.”
“If the Philippines deploys the U.S. intermediate-range missile system, it will create tension and confrontation in the region and lead to an arms race, which is completely contrary to the interests and aspirations of the Filipino people,” Wang added.
Tensions have flared between China and the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, with China insisting on its sovereignty over the Second Thomas Shoal area that Manila claims is within its exclusive economic zone.
Wang said China has recently reached a provisional arrangement with the Philippines on the transportation and supply of humanitarian aid to Ren’ai Jiao island.
China refers to the Second Thomas Shoal as Ren’ai Jiao.
