MANILA, Philippines: China expressed concern over the US deployment of medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) in the Asia-Pacific, particularly in the Philippines, after it was announced by the US Army Pacific Command.

"The US's move exacerbates regional tensions and increases the risk of misjudgment and miscalculation. We urge the US to respect other countries' security concerns earnestly, stop stoking military confrontation, stop undermining peace and stability in the region, and take concrete actions to reduce strategic risks," said China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Jin Lian during a media briefing on Thursday.

The Global Times, quoting the US Army Pacific Command, said the US deployed the mid-range capability missile system, also known as Typhon, to the Philippines, as part of their joint military exercise.

This is the first time that the US deployed a land-based, ground-launch system after withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

The Chinese official said the Philippines needed to be mindful of what the US truly wanted and the consequences of going along with the US in deploying MRBMs.

He said that the Philippines needed to think twice about being a cat's paw for the US at the expense of its security interests.