Missiles threaten China's security

陈小将

By Du Jifeng

The Philippine defense minister, according to foreign media reports, has said that Manila is considering purchasing the Typhon medium-range missile system from the US. This is Manila's latest move to undermine Sino-Philippine relations and regional stability.

Since April, Manila had been saying the medium-range missile system was deployed in the country for the US-Philippines joint military exercise and will be shipped back to the US. But Manila, going back on its word, now intends to permanently deploy it.

The Philippines' move poses a direct threat to China's national security. The Typhon medium-range missile system is an offensive weapon which can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles that can hit southern China. Therefore, the missile system's deployment will exacerbate tensions in the South China Sea and the region beyond.

Although the Philippine government claims it has been trying to ease tensions in the region and rebuild mutual trust with China, it has repeatedly violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and provoked incidents around China's islands and reefs, including Huangyan Island, in the South China Sea.

Manila's possible purchase and deployment of the missile system will further threaten regional peace and stability, while serving the security interests of the US and encouraging it to interfere in the South China Sea issue. With a new US administration about to take office, Manila's high-profile announcement of its intention to purchase the Typhon medium-range missile system exposes its intention to curry favor with US president-elect Donald Trump to seek his government's military protection.