(UPDATES) CHINA on Thursday called on the United States to remove a mid-range system deployed in the Philippines, following reports that said Washington has no plans to withdraw them. "We urge the relevant country to heed the call of countries in the region, correct the wrongdoing as soon as possible, stop inciting military confrontation, quickly withdraw the missile system as publicly pledged, and avoid going further down the wrong path," Lin Jian, the spokesman of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), said in his regular press conference in Beijing on Thursday, September 19. The Typhon system, which can be equipped with cruise missiles capable of striking Chinese targets, was brought into the country for joint exercises between the US and the Philippines earlier this year. Although it was not fired during the exercises, the missile system has remained in the country. Lin Jian noted that in recent years, the US has been hellbent on advancing military deployment, including the mid-range capability missile system, in the Asia-Pacific to pursue an absolute military advantage. "This move will heighten the arms race, exacerbate regional tensions, threaten peace and security in this region, and disrupt global strategic balance and stability. China has made clear its opposition more than once," he said. "We urge the US to give up its deployment plan and call on relevant countries to clearly understand the US' real intentions, act prudently in fields related to military and security, and take concrete actions to uphold regional and international peace and stability. China will keep a close eye on relevant developments and firmly safeguard its security, rights, and interests," he added. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in July assured his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, the presence of the missile system in his country posed no threat to China and would not destabilize the region. The US Army said in April that it transported the mid-range missile system from the US to Luzon as part of combat exercises with Philippine troops. The missile system, however, was not fired during the joint combat exercises of the longtime treaty allies, and the Philippine military has said it may be transported out of the country in September 2024. Both the US and the Philippines have consistently condemned China's increasingly assertive actions to strengthen its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Tensions have escalated in the area, particularly since last year, with confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard forces and their accompanying vessels. In addition to China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the busy waterway, which are critical global and security routes.
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