SHANGHAI – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has voiced concerns over the US deployment of intermediate-range missiles in the Philippines, saying it threatens regional peace and stability, according to a statement released by China's Foreign Ministry on Sunday.
Speaking with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in New York, Wang stressed the need to avoid conflict on the Korean Peninsula and reiterated that the missile deployment is "not in the interests of regional countries."
In April 2024, the US deployed the Typhon missile system, equipped with cruise missiles capable of reaching Chinese targets, at Laoag International Airport in the Philippines. This move has drawn criticism from both China and Russia, with Beijing demanding its removal and Moscow accusing Washington of triggering an arms race in the Indo-Pacific.
The Philippines, a key US ally and located near Taiwan—claimed by China as part of its territory—plays a crucial role in American strategic plans in the region. Any military support to Taiwan in case of a conflict with China would likely involve Philippine bases.
Despite China's objections, the US has no plans to withdraw the Typhon missile system. In response, Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. expressed his desire for the missile system to remain in the country permanently, emphasizing its importance for national defense.
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