Philippines warned against provocations

The Ministry of National Defense on Thursday warned the Philippines that "inviting the wolf into your own house" would inevitably backfire, as tensions mount over US missile deployments in the region.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the ministry, made the remarks at a regular news conference in Beijing in response to the Philippine military's statement that the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System — an antiship missile launcher — remained on Philippine territory following joint exercises with the United States.

Philippine officials said the system serves as a deterrent to any attempts at coercion or invasion. Reports also suggest the US is planning to deploy a second missile system, the Typhon intermediate-range platform, in the Southeast Asian country.

Zhang accused the Philippines of escalating tensions by introducing strategic and tactical weapons, saying the country is "tying itself to the US war chariot and acting as an accomplice to a tiger".

"This move has undermined regional security and stability, and seriously violates the common interests of regional countries," Zhang said. "Inviting the wolf into your own house will inevitably backfire and lead to the destruction of your own home."

He urged the Philippines to "learn from historical lessons and avoid repeating past mistakes".

Zhang also criticized a new initiative launched by the Philippine government that encourages its fishermen to intensify operations in waters near the Nansha Islands.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, and holds sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters," he said. "The Philippines is attempting to use fishing activities as a pretext to infringe upon China's sovereignty and make provocations. This will never work."

He said China would continue to strengthen administrative control of the waters in accordance with law and "firmly safeguard" its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.