China warned on Tuesday that Washington was “endangering regional peace and stability” with a new deal expanding American troops’ access to bases in the Philippines.
“Out of self-interest, the US maintains a zero-sum mentality and continues to strengthen its military deployment in the region,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, adding the “result will inevitably be increased military tension and endangering regional peace and stability.”
The Palace on Monday identified four new bases—one near the hotly disputed South China Sea and another near Taiwan–where American
troops and weapons could be temporarily stationed under a treaty between the Philippines and the United States.
These sites, covered by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, and Balabac Island in Palawan.
The US and the Philippines agreed in February to expand cooperation in “strategic areas” of the country as they seek to counter China’s growing assertiveness over self-governed Taiwan and its aggression in the South China Sea.
