CCTV: Recently Philippine leader said that he doesn’t understand China’s comments on the missile system in the Philippines. He said, “we don’t make any comments on their missile systems and their missile systems are a thousand times more powerful than what we have.” He also offered to remove the Typhon missile system deployed by the U.S. military from his country if China ceases its “aggressive and coercive behaviour” in the South China Sea. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro says that the Philippines plans to acquire its own midrange system, and they have the right to field these deterrent capabilities. What is China’s comment?
Guo Jiakun: Regarding the U.S. deployment of Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system in the Philippines, China has made clear the grave harm of such deployment and stated our firm opposition to it on multiple occasions. On this issue, the Philippines has gone back on its words again and again.
The Philippines has explained itself multiple times regarding the introduction of the Typhon system, pledging that the deployment was “temporary,” and that the system will be shipped out of the country after relevant military exercises. However, it has breached such commitments, claiming they would acquire its own midrange system and field these deterrent capabilities, and linking the South China Sea issue with the Typhon system. This is not only ridiculous but also extremely dangerous.
As is widely known, Typhon MRC missile system is a strategic offensive weapon, which puts a large number of Southeast Asian countries within its range. The U.S. deployment of the system in the Philippines severely disrupts peace and stability in the region, and harms the legitimate security interests of other countries. The Philippines has worked with the U.S. to bring in the Typhon system. It’s placing its national security and defense in the hands of others and introducing geopolitical confrontation and risk of arms race into the region, which does no one good.
China will not sit idly by when its security interests are harmed or threatened. Countries in the region will by no means accept this move that goes against the trend of the times. We call on the Philippines to change its course, and make a strategic choice that truly serves the fundamental interest of itself and its people, rather than staying on the wrong path and hurting the Philippines itself when it comes to issues like Typhon.
AFP: Two U.S. ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait this week, which was the first transit there since Donald Trump’s inauguration. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this?
Guo Jiakun: The PLA Eastern Theater Command has made a response.
Let me stress that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question has nothing to do with freedom of navigation but bears on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. China firmly opposes any country challenging or threatening China’s sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation.
Bloomberg: Philippine leader complained about China during a campaign for his Senate candidates today. He said none of the candidates were applauding China or cheering when their nation’s coast guard vessels were hit by water cannons from Chinese coast guard vessels in the South China Sea. Would the ministry like to comment on Marcos’s remarks?
Guo Jiakun: Let me respond by adapting his sentence: none of the Chinese people would refrain from a lawful and legitimate response, doing nothing when China is hit by infringement and provocation from the Philippines. China opposes exploiting the South China Sea issue for political manipulation.
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