China opposes PH plan to buy Typhon missile system

China is opposing the plan of the Philippines to acquire the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system, a weaponry that the United States recently deployed in Manila.

“Let me stress again that the Philippines, by bringing in this offensive strategic weapon, is enabling a country outside the region to fuel tensions and antagonism in this region, and incite geopolitical confrontation and arms race,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference Thursday.

For Lin, the Philippines’ move is “provocative,” “dangerous,” and “an extremely irresponsible choice” to Filipinos, Southeast Asian, history, and regional security.

“What the region needs is peace and prosperity, not the missile system or confrontation,” he said.

“We once again urge the Philippines to heed the call from regional countries and their peoples, correct its wrongdoings as soon as possible, quickly pull out the Typhon missile system as publicly pledged, and stop going further down the wrong path,” he added.

But Philippine Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said there is no finality yet if the Philippines will purchase the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system.

“However we are planning to have such kinds of capabilities. I'm not saying the Typhon. I'm saying such kinds of capabilities,” Teodoro said in an ambush interview.

Asked about China’s opposition to the plan, Teodoro said the Philippines will still proceed.

“I think the whole world knows who is on the right path and the wrong path. Definitely, you know, we cannot take advice from people who distort the truth and nobody believes them anyway. So, I think it's a waste of air time to broadcast the claims of China because only their leadership believes in what they say anyway,” he said.

“We have the force of international law on our side, not purely Philippine law. China does not have the force of law on its side. It does not have right on its side. That's why they're leftist,” he added.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier said he wants the US' Typhon mid-range missile system to stay in the Philippines "forever."

The US military flew the Typhon to the Philippines in April for an exercise. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News