Beijing raises ‘serious concerns’ after US stations Typhon Weapons System in Philippines amid South China Sea tensions

China told Asean officials that the weapons system, which can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles, is a serious threat to regional security and stability

The missile system was deployed during a training exercise with the Philippines, which has repeatedly clashed with China in the disputed waters

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A Philippine soldier guards a US military hovercraft during the annual “Balikatan” bilateral military exercise. The Typhon system was deployed during the three-week exercise involving thousands of troops on either side. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 7:06pm, 11 May 2024Updated: 7:45pm, 11 May 2024

China has raised “serious concerns” about the US deployment of a mid-range missile system in the Philippines during a meeting with Southeast Asian nations.

The United States temporarily stationed the Typhon Weapon System, capable of supporting Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles, in the country during joint military drills last month.

It was the first time it had stationed such a weapons system in the country, which has repeatedly clashed with China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in recent months, raising fears about the risk of an armed conflict.

Speaking with reporters in Jakarta on Friday, China’s vice minister of foreign affairs Sun Weidong said he “clearly conveyed China’s serious concerns” during a meeting between senior officials from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Sun said the deployment posed a “serious threat to the security of the countries of the region and would seriously undermine regional peace and stability,” according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

“China firmly opposes the recurrence of cold war-style confrontation in the region and the use of regional countries as tools and agents of hegemony,” Sun said, while reaffirming Beijing’s support for Asean’s strategic autonomy.

Beijing raises ‘serious concerns’ after US stations Typhon Weapons System in Philippines amid South China Sea tensions

China told Asean officials that the weapons system, which can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles, is a serious threat to regional security and stability The missile system was deployed during a training exercise with the Philippines, which has repeatedly clashed with China in the disputed waters

China told Asean officials that the weapons system, which can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles, is a serious threat to regional security and stability

The missile system was deployed during a training exercise with the Philippines, which has repeatedly clashed with China in the disputed waters