China accused the United States of being the “biggest source of instability” in the South China Sea after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized China’s actions in the region as “dangerous and unlawful” during the ASEAN summit.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning pointed to the US deployment of the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Philippines, arguing that it disrupts regional peace and stability.
“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.
“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,” she added.
Mao said the ministry has the sea situation “under control,” reiterating that “China and parties to the South China Sea have every capability and wisdom to properly address disputes through dialogue and consultation.”
“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,” she concluded.
