China Warns the U.S.: Do Not Bring Conflict and Turmoil to the Asia-Pacific

Reference News Network reported on March 29 According to AFP on March 26, on the 26th, after Washington and its allies indicated they would consider establishing weapon bases in the Philippines, China warned the United States not to bring "conflict and turmoil" to the Asia-Pacific region.

According to a joint statement, last week, a multinational intergovernmental defense organization led by the United States agreed to assess funding for establishing an ammunition assembly and production line in the Philippines.

The decision was made collectively by the 16 member countries of the "Indo-Pacific Industry Resilience Partnership" forum (PIPIR), which also includes the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.

On the 26th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the potential ammunition facility would undermine regional stability and would "backfire."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference: "The U.S. and its allies should genuinely respect the common wishes of regional countries... and not bring group confrontation and conflict to the Asia-Pacific."

When asked about the potential new production line, he said: "If relevant countries are willing to be a 'powder keg' or 'ammunition depot,' it will ultimately only backfire on themselves."

China claims to have indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters. Lin Jian added that China will "firmly defend national territorial sovereignty and security interests." (Translated by Hu Wei)