China issued a stern warning to the Philippines over the deployment of the US-made Typhon mid-range missile system, urging Manila to withdraw the planned acquisition of the system or face consequences.
Beijing through Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday evening warned that it “won’t sit on its hands” and cautioned the Philippines would harm its own interests if it “refuses to change course.”
China views the Typhon mid-range missile system as an offensive weapon, asserting that its presence in the Philippines fuels geopolitical tensions and contributes to an arms race in the region.
“The Philippines once clearly promised that it will not choose sides between major countries, not engage in any activities that will harm China’s interests and doesn’t intend to incite tensions in the region,” Mao said in a press conference.
“Despite these clear promises, however, the Philippines has helped a country outside the region deploy military forces and stoke confrontation in the region,” she added.
Mao also accused the Philippines of reneging on its previous commitments. She claimed Manila openly said that the Typhoon system would only be used during the recent ‘Balikatan’ and ‘Salaknib’ exercises and would be shipped out of the country by September after the military drills were over.
“But then the Philippine side went back on its word, saying they would like to have the Typhon here in the Philippines forever and even plans to acquire the systems. This is a deliberate breach of the Philippines’ own words,” she said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry official further claimed the Philippines has been “making provocations” in the South China Sea by collaborating with external forces to “flex muscle.” Beijing wants to dominate the entire body of water despite international laws declaring it illegal.
Mao emphasized that for the Philippines to maintain “strategic independence, good-neighborliness and friendship, and peaceful development,” it must remove the missile system.
“Some individuals in the Philippines need to correct their understanding, reflect on their own words and deeds, and stop inverting the truth and pretending to be the victim,” Mao said.
She was referring to Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who previously defended the missile system’s deployment as a legitimate and lawful component of joint exercises.
“Our message to the Philippines: China will not sit on its hands when its security interests are in danger or under threat. The Philippines will be hurting its own interests if it keeps refusing to change course,” Mao warned.
