The Philippines seeks to assure China that the deployment of a U.S. intermediate-range missile system on its territory is not a destabilizing factor in the region. The missile system was deployed in April as part of joint military drills between the two countries, marking the first time it has been set up in the Indo-Pacific region. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo addressed concerns raised by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who described the presence of the missile system as „destabilizing“ during bilateral talks in Laos on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings.
Manalo reassured Wang that the presence of the missile system was non-threatening. He emphasized that the missiles in question were only there temporarily and not intended to be destabilizing. Wang had expressed concerns that the deployment of the U.S. missile system could escalate regional tensions and lead to an arms race.
The Typhon missile system, capable of firing Tomahawk land attack and SM-6 missiles, was not used during the drills. The Philippines stated that the system was shipped to test the feasibility of transporting the 40-ton weapon system by air. Security engagements between the Philippines and the United States have intensified as both nations aim to counter what they perceive as China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have been on the rise, particularly over disputed territories in the South China Sea. Recently, the Philippines accused China’s air force of conducting dangerous maneuvers over the contested Scarborough Shoal. China maintains that its aircraft operated lawfully and professionally. This incident occurred after Manila and Beijing had agreed to better manage maritime disputes.
Manalo expressed hope that China would honor its provisional arrangement with Manila regarding resupply missions to a beached vessel at another contested spot, the Second Thomas Shoal. When asked if this arrangement could be replicated in other contested parts of the South China Sea, Manalo stated that it would depend on the specific situation. China claims most of the South China Sea as its territory, including the Scarborough and Second Thomas Shoals, despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that deemed Beijing’s claims baseless under international law.
In conclusion, the Philippines seeks to reassure China that the deployment of the U.S. missile system is not intended to be destabilizing. The ongoing tensions in the region highlight the complex dynamics at play in the South China Sea, as countries navigate territorial disputes and military engagements. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve and whether diplomatic efforts can help mitigate potential conflicts in the region.