China says US-Philippine Cooperation will 'Undermine Regional Stability'

China has warned the Philippines that its military cooperation with the U.S would “undermine regional stability and aggravate tensions” Wednesday after Washington officials announced $500 million in funding to boost Philippine defences in Manila.

The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin after meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Tuesday.

The fund would help modernize the Philippine military and coast guard and boost security collaboration amid shared concerns over China's assertive actions, they said.

Asked about the decision at a daily news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian underlined that the U.S. was “not a party” to the South China Sea dispute between China and the Philippines.

“Attempts to introduce external forces to protect one's own security will only lead to greater insecurity, or even make oneself a pawn of others,” he warned.

Marcos has underscored the need for a U.S. military presence for Asian stability and peace and fortified Manila’s decades-old treaty alliance with Washington as hostilities between Philippine and Chinese forces flared since last year in the disputed South China Sea.

Lin also urged the Philippines to “heed the calls” from the regional countries to “withdraw the intermediate-range missile system as soon as possible” after Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo justified the missiles were purely meant to enhance the country’s defence capability.

The US deployed its Typhon missile system for the annual Balikatan exercises last April, but they were not used during the exercises.

The Philippine Army said the deployment could be extended beyond September.

Separately, Lin reiterated that UN General Assembly resolution 2758 was “unequivocal recognition” of the “One China” principle after Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te slammed Beijing for its misinterpretation of the resolution.

At the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in Taipei on Tuesday, Lai said Beijing misused the document to block Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and activities and justify its military aggression against the island.

Beijing views the self-governed island democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory and has been upping its threats to annex it by force if necessary.

At the briefing, Lin said China expressed “deep condolence” to the victims of the deadly landslides that killed at least 151 people in southern India.

“According to what we learned from our embassy in India, no Chinese casualties have been reported so far,” he added.