China Condemns US-Japan-Philippines Summit... "Promoting Exclusive Bloc Confrontation"

China has opposed the trilateral summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines scheduled for the 11th, accusing it of fostering 'exclusive bloc confrontation.' The three countries are reportedly set to discuss strengthening cooperation against China in the South China Sea.

Mao Ning, Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Photo by Yonhap News

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded this way on the 8th during a briefing when asked, "With the Japanese and Philippine leaders expected to hold a trilateral summit with the U.S. this week to strengthen defense relations, how does China view the deepening ties among the three countries?"

Spokesperson Mao said, "I want to emphasize that whatever cooperation any country pursues, it should be beneficial to regional peace and stability," adding, "We oppose the formation of exclusive narrow circles (小圈子) and the fostering of bloc confrontation in this region."

The United States, Japan, and the Philippines have been strengthening joint actions, including conducting joint naval exercises last June to check China's expanding military influence in the South China Sea. It is expected that the first trilateral summit on the 11th will announce a series of agreements aimed at countering China in the Indo-Pacific region, including joint naval patrols in the South China Sea.

On the 7th, these three countries, joined by Australia, conducted joint naval and air force exercises in the South China Sea. In response, China staged a show of force on the same day by mobilizing naval and air force units from its Southern Theater Command.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed concern over reports that the United States is beginning official negotiations for Japan's accession to AUKUS (the security alliance among the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Australia). At the same time, it issued a warning message to Japan.

Spokesperson Mao stated, "Despite the universal concerns of regional countries and the international community about nuclear proliferation risks, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia continuously signal their intention to expand the membership of the so-called trilateral security partnership and induce some countries to join, accelerating the arms race in the Asia-Pacific," adding, "China expresses serious concern over the destruction of regional peace and stability."

He further said, "We oppose relevant countries erecting exclusive narrow fences," and "Japan, in particular, should deeply learn the lessons of history and be cautious in its words and actions in the military and security domain."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.