China to Philippines: Resist being taken advantage of, dragged into ‘trouble waters’

China is hoping that the Philippines will resist being taken advantage of and "dragged into trouble waters."  

The Chinese embassy in Manila issued the statement on Thursday hours after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Camp Aguinaldo said the Philippines and the US have reaffirmed their commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

In a joint press conference with Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Austin said these actions were important as, “China continues to advance their illegitimate claims in the West Philippines Sea.”

A Chinese embassy spokesman said Austin “smeared” China on the issue of the South China Sea “to advance the anti-China political agenda of the US.”

“Such moves contradict the common aspiration of regional countries to seek peace, cooperation and development, and run counter to the common aspiration of the Filipino people to pursue sound economic recovery and a better life in cooperation with China,” the embassy.

“It is hoped that the Philippine side stays vigilant and resists from being taken advantage of and dragged into trouble waters,” it added.

The embassy said China held that the “defense and security cooperation” between countries should be conducive to regional peace and stability.

It said defense cooperation must “not target against any third party, even less to harm the interests of a third party.”

“The United States, out of its self interests and zero-sum game mentality, continues to step up military posture in this region. Its actions escalate regional tension and undermine regional peace and stability,” the embassy said.

The Department of National Defense also announced that the designation of four new locations for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US during Austin's visit.

Austin arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday night.

He paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. together with other officials on Thursday. —NB, GMA Integrated News