At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 12, a reporter asked: Recently Philippine leader said that he doesn’t understand China’s comments on the missile system in the Philippines. He said, “we don’t make any comments on their missile systems and their missile systems are a thousand times more powerful than what we have.”

He also offered to remove the Typhon missile system deployed by the U.S. military from his country if China ceases its “aggressive and coercive behaviour” in the South China Sea. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said that the Philippines plans to acquire its own midrange system, and they have the right to field these deterrent capabilities. What is China’s comment?

Regarding the U.S. deployment of Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system in the Philippines, China has made clear the grave harm of such deployment and stated our firm opposition to it on multiple occasions. On this issue, the Philippines has gone back on its words again and again, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

Guo said the Philippines has explained itself multiple times regarding the introduction of the Typhon system, pledging that the deployment was “temporary,” and that the system will be shipped out of the country after relevant military exercises. However, it has breached such commitments, claiming they would acquire its own midrange system and field these deterrent capabilities, and linking the South China Sea issue with the Typhon system. This is not only ridiculous but also extremely dangerous.

As is widely known, Guo stated that Typhon MRC missile system is a strategic offensive weapon, which puts a large number of Southeast Asian countries within its range. The U.S. deployment of the system in the Philippines severely disrupts peace and stability in the region, and harms the legitimate security interests of other countries. The Philippines has worked with the U.S. to bring in the Typhon system. It’s placing its national security and defense in the hands of others and introducing geopolitical confrontation and risk of arms race into the region, which does no one good.

Gua pointed out that China will not sit idly by when its security interests are harmed or threatened. Countries in the region will by no means accept this move that goes against the trend of the times. We call on the Philippines to change its course, and make a strategic choice that truly serves the fundamental interest of itself and its people, rather than staying on the wrong path and hurting the Philippines itself when it comes to issues like Typhon.

(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China)