Chinese Foreign Minister says US Typhon missile system will ‘create tension and confrontation in the region’
China’s foreign minister warned the Philippines on Friday that Manila’s continued deployment of the U.S. Typhon missile system would “create tension and confrontation in the region” and trigger “an arms race.”
Wang Yi made the remarks during a meeting with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, where the ASEAN foreign ministers’ summit is taking place, according to a Chinese diplomatic statement.
The Typhon medium-range missile system was brought to the Philippine island of Luzon in April as part of joint military exercises between Washington and Manila.
The decision sparked protests from Beijing, which called it “a throwback to the Cold War” and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the system and a commitment that it would never be installed in the region again.
The ups and downs between Beijing and Manila in recent years “show that it is not easy to build a good relationship, but it is very easy to destroy it,” said the head of Chinese diplomacy, stressing that ties between the countries continue today. “serious difficulties and challenges.”
Wang blamed Manila for the situation: “The Philippines has repeatedly violated agreements between the two sides and its own commitments, continuously promoted maritime violations and stirred up public opinion.”
Following the temporary agreement reached less than a week ago between the two countries to calm tensions in the South China Sea, the Chinese envoy demanded that the Philippines “honor its commitments,” threatening a “firm response.”
“China-Philippines relations are at a crossroads… Conflict and confrontation will lead nowhere, and dialogue and consultation are the right path,” Wang said.
According to the Chinese statement, Manalo also demonstrated his willingness to address differences constructively and welcomed the goodwill of both sides.
One of the main points of contention between Beijing and Manila is related to the former Philippine ship Sierra Madre, stranded since 1999 with a military garrison near the disputed Segundo Thomas atoll.
The two countries also dispute sovereignty over Scarborough Reef and several islands in the Spratly archipelago, also claimed by Borneo, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.
Philippine authorities say the atolls are within 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) of their exclusive economic zone, which under international law allows resource exploitation despite being considered international waters.
Beijing cites historical reasons for claiming almost all of the South China Sea.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have worsened since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. came to power and strengthened the military alliance with the United States.
Source: Observadora
