## China Warns the Philippines Against Deploying American Missiles and Threatens “Firm Response”
### Chinese Foreign Minister Says Beijing Will “Respond Firmly” to Any Violation by the Philippines of a Recently Reached Agreement to Ease Tensions Between the Two Countries in the South China Sea
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned the Philippines against deploying medium-range American missiles, saying such a move could escalate regional tensions and ignite an arms race.
Earlier this year, the United States sent a Typhoon missile system to the Philippines as part of joint military exercises. A Filipino military official later stated that the system was not fired during the exercises but did not provide details on how long it would remain in the country.
During a meeting in Vientiane on Friday, Wang told Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo that relations between China and the Philippines have reached a crossroads, and that dialogue and consultation are the only ways to avoid conflict and confrontation.
Wang stated that the bilateral relationship is facing challenges because the Philippines has “repeatedly violated the consensus and commitments between the two sides.”
He added, “If the Philippines deploys the American medium-range missile system, it will create tension and confrontation in the region and lead to an arms race, which is completely against the interests and aspirations of the Filipino people.”
In a related context, the Chinese Foreign Minister emphasized that Beijing will “respond firmly” to any violation by the Philippines of a recently reached agreement to ease tensions between the two countries in the South China Sea, according to Wang’s statement to his Philippine counterpart.
China is historically disputing control over parts of this strategic waterway, through which trillions of dollars’ worth of trade pass annually.
Last week, both sides agreed on a “temporary arrangement” regarding supply missions to Filipino soldiers stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, following recent confrontations in the area.
On Friday, Chinese Minister Wang Yi called on the Philippines to “fulfill its commitments” under the agreement instead of “backtracking or creating complications,” according to a statement from his meeting with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Laos. He added, “Otherwise, China will certainly respond firmly.”
Speaking to reporters late Friday, Manalo expressed hope that Beijing would adhere to its side of the agreement.
He explained, “If both parties implement, and we hope China will implement the agreement, we will be able to supply our troops on the ship without any obstacles.”
He added, “I think that will be an important step towards defusing tensions and hopefully lead to other areas of cooperation in the South China Sea.”
The two ministers met in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, which is hosting the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting during a highly tense period regarding the South China Sea.
Beijing claims the larger part of the waterway through which goods worth trillions of dollars pass annually, despite an international court ruling confirming no legal basis for its claims.
A series of confrontations between Filipino and Chinese ships in coral reef areas have raised fears of a conflict that could draw the United States in under its mutual defense treaty with Manila.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Laos on Saturday for talks with his ASEAN counterparts and will also meet with Wang.
Blinken has prioritized promoting a “free and open” Asia-Pacific region, a veiled critique of China’s economic, strategic, and regional ambitions.
By/radwa sherif ✏️✏️📚