According to reports, when the Philippine President Marcos was visiting the U.S., the two sides announced military cooperation and reiterated that the Mutual Defense Treaty is extended to the South China Sea. Marcos said that modernizing the Philippine military is a direct response to the changing situation in the South China Sea, and that the U.S. deploying mid-range missiles and the two countries jointly building arsenal bases are conducive to preparations for possible future situations. Other sources say that Japan has exported six Abukuma-class destroyer escorts to the Philippines. At a regular press conference on July 29, a reporter raised questions about these developments.

"China opposes attempts to increase military alliance and engage in military deployment and operation targeting others under the pretext of the South China Sea issue. This will not solve any problem, still less intimidate China, and is against the common aspiration of Asia-Pacific countries of pursuing peace, development and stability," said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

Guo stressed that any defense or security cooperation between the Philippines and other countries should not target a third party, interfere in South China Sea disputes, provoke confrontation, or escalate tensions in the region. “We urge the Philippines to stop colluding with other countries to act as scaremongers and shift blame on maritime issues, and stop inviting external forces for support, or finding reasons for voluntarily joining “small circles.” Independence should be upheld with concrete actions, and regional peace and stability should be earnestly protected,” Guo said.

(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China)