MANILA. The Philippines has sought to ease China’s concerns over a U.S. mid-range missile system recently deployed to its northern region, following what Manila described as Beijing’s “very dramatic” alarm. Chinese officials have warned that the presence of the missile system could destabilize the region, but the Philippine government insists that the deployment is temporary and poses no threat.
During a press conference in Manila, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo revealed that his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, raised concerns about the U.S. missile system during discussions held last month in Laos, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings. “We discussed it and, well, they made it very dramatic,” Manalo stated. “I said you shouldn’t be worried.”
Pressed further about China’s specific concerns, Manalo shared that Wang Yi warned the missile system could be “destabilizing” for the region. However, Manalo assured Wang that the deployment was not permanent and emphasized, “They’re not destabilizing.”
The U.S. Army transported the mid-range missile system, capable of firing the Standard Missile-6 and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, to the northern Philippines in April as part of joint combat exercises with the Philippine military. Although the system was not used during the exercises, Philippine military officials have indicated that it may be withdrawn from the country next month.
China has repeatedly expressed strong opposition to the increased U.S. military presence in the region, particularly in the Philippines, warning that such moves could jeopardize regional peace and stability.
The U.S. and the Philippines have been vocal critics of China’s aggressive actions in asserting its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Tensions in the contested waters have escalated, with frequent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels. The South China Sea is a crucial global trade route and a strategic area where overlapping claims involve China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
As the Philippines continues to navigate its complex relationship with both the U.S. and China, the government seeks to balance its security needs with the imperative to maintain regional stability.
