The Chinese mainland’s Ministry of National Defense emphasized the importance of defense cooperation that does not target any third party or disrupt regional peace and stability.
Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the ministry, criticized countries like the United States and Japan for stirring up tensions in the South China Sea.
\"The Philippines is inviting wolves into the house and willingly acting as their pawns, which is despised by other regional countries,\" Zhang stated, referring to recent military collaborations.
The spokesperson addressed the U.S. announcement of $500 million in military aid to the Philippines, aimed at countering the China Coast Guard and maritime militia, as well as joint military exercises between Japan and the Philippines in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, purportedly to realize a \"free and open Indo-Pacific.\"
Zhang emphasized that the Chinese mainland has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters. \"We will take legitimate countermeasures against deliberate infringements and provocations to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,\" he added.
Reference(s):
Third party should not be targeted in defense cooperation, says China
cgtn.com
