Philippines Reassures China Over U.S. Missile Presence Amid Rising Tensions

The Philippines aimed to placate Chinese concerns about the U.S. intermediate range missile system on its soil, asserting its non-threatening nature during ASEAN talks. The missile’s deployment was part of joint military exercises between the U.S. and the Philippines, to counter China's aggression in the South China Sea.

The Philippines sought to soothe Chinese fears on Friday, emphasizing that the deployment of a U.S. intermediate range missile system poses no threat to China. This declaration came after the U.S. set up the missile system in April, marking its first deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo stated that he assured Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during bilateral talks at the ASEAN meetings in Laos that the missile system's presence is non-threatening. Manalo emphasized that Wang's concerns about the system being destabilizing were unfounded, insisting the missiles are there temporarily.

While China warned of potential regional tensions and an arms race due to the missile's deployment, the Philippines highlighted that the system was brought in for feasibility testing. The tensions between the Philippines and China continue to escalate over disputed territories in the South China Sea, underscored by recent military engagements.

(With inputs from agencies.)