China denounces US, Philippines on military, national security issues

China, as a peace-loving nation, never engages in aggression or expansion, but will never give up its legitimate rights and interests, and will take firm countermeasures against threats and challenges, Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said on Friday.

Zhang made the remarks during an online news briefing, expressing firm opposition to the "groundless accusation" made by the United States side.

In late January, after being sworn in as the new US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth made clear in a message to the US military that the country would work with allies and partners to deter "aggression in the Indo-Pacific" by China.

Zhang stressed that China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and a military strategy of active defense, noting that the Chinese military is a staunch force for peace.

The spokesman also emphasized that major-country competition should not be the underlying logic of the times, regarding China-US relations.

"A steady, sound and sustained China-US diplomatic and defense relationship serves the common interests of the two countries and meets the general expectations of the international community. Standing at a new starting point, we hope the US will work with China on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to deepen state-to-state and military-to-military exchanges and cooperation, so as to inject certainty and positive energy into the world," he said.

During the online briefing, the spokesman also responded to recent actions and comments by the US and Philippine officials in terms of US deployment of the Typhon mid-range missile system in the Philippines.

It's "ridiculous and dangerous" for the Philippines to link the South China Sea issue with the Typhon deployment by the US side, said Zhang, saying the island nation has treated its own national security and the well-being of its people — as well as regional peace and stability — as bargaining chips.

In late January, the US Indo-Pacific Command said the missile system had been relocated from the Laoag airfield to another location on the island of Luzon, and that the relocation, however, was not an indication that the batteries would be permanently deployed in the Philippines.

Also in late January, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said that his country would return the Typhon system to the US as long as China stops claiming its territory, harassing its fishermen and attacking its ships.

Zhang said that the Chinese side has made clear on multiple occasions its firm opposition to the US deployment of the Typhon missile system in the Philippines, which is a strategic and offensive weapon.

"The Philippine side has repeatedly gone back on its word and brought in the system to cater to the US side. Such a decision would only place its national security and defense in the hands of others, and lead to geopolitical confrontation and risks of an arms race in the region," Zhang said.

He reiterated that the territory of the Philippines, as defined by a series of international treaties, does not include China's Nansha Islands and Huangyan Island.

"It's legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach for the Chinese side to conduct law-enforcement activities in relevant waters."

The official stressed that by using the Typhon deployment as a bargaining chip on the South China Sea issue, the Philippine side is selling out its own national security.

"Such behavior is ridiculous and dangerous," he said.

Zhang called for the Philippine side to recognize the high sensitivity and severe consequences of this issue, remove the Typhon missile system as soon as possible to honor its open promises, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultations at an early date.

"The Chinese side will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely counter provocations and infringements and safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," he added.