BEIJING, July 12 -- "The US mid-range missile system is a strategic offensive weapon reminiscent of the Cold War, and it should never have been deployed in the Philippines. The US and the Philippines should honor their words, immediately pull out the system and never deploy it again," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press briefing on Friday.
It's reported that the spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines recently said the US is currently shipping out its equipment used during annual joint exercise Balikatan. As per plan, the land-based Mid-Range Capability missile system Typhon deployed in the Philippines will be pulled out of the country in September or even earlier.
"In recent years, the US side has withdrawn from multiple arms control treaties or organizations, which greatly undermined the international arms control and disarmament process," remarked Zhang, noting that forcing its allies and partners onto the US war chariot will only lead to tensions and confrontation, and undermine regional peace and stability.
"We urge the US and the Philippines to respect the aspirations of peoples in the region for peace and development, and do more for regional peace and stability," stressed the spokesperson.
