Beijing today accused military cooperation between Japan and the Philippines of ignoring the “common desire” of regional countries for peace and development, claiming it contributes to “aggravating” regional tensions.
Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, stated during a press conference that “some politicians” from Japan and the Philippines “have been spreading false narratives about maritime issues and defaming China without any reason,” which has caused “strong dissatisfaction” in Beijing and to which the Asian giant “firmly” opposes.
“The parties involved ignore the common desire of the countries in the region to seek peace and development and, ignoring the opposition of their own people, are strengthening their military ties for private benefit, thereby aggravating regional tensions,” the spokesperson stated.
Gilberto Teodoro, the Philippine Secretary of National Defense, declared last Tuesday—after meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi—that Manila can now acquire military weaponry from Japan thanks to Tokyo’s easing of its policy on military equipment and technology transfers.
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During the meeting, both parties also expressed “serious concern about the evolving situation” in the South and East China Seas and “stressed the importance of strengthening maritime domain awareness,” referring to increased Chinese naval activity in the region.
Jiang noted that Japan recently launched offensive missiles outside its territory for the first time during military maneuvers, breaking the Japanese constitutional principle of “exclusively defense-oriented self-defense.” He also accused the Philippines of relying on “external forces” to “support and encourage their actions of rights infringement.”
“The Chinese military maintains an unwavering determination to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the countries involved to stop forming cliques and promoting bloc confrontations, and to do more things that truly favor regional peace and stability,” Jiang concluded.
Manila and Beijing maintain a sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea, where frequent incidents between vessels and aircraft from both countries have been recorded in recent years.
Relations between China and Japan have also grown tense in recent months after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested to the Japanese Parliament late last year that Chinese military action against Taiwan could trigger a response from the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
