Hey there! 🌏 Big news coming from Beijing: China's Ministry of National Defense has a message for everyone—defense partnerships shouldn't target third parties or mess with regional peace and stability. 📢
On Friday, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the ministry, called out countries like the U.S. and Japan for \"stirring up troubles and muddying the waters\" in the South China Sea. 🌊🌪️ He didn't hold back, saying the Philippines is \"inviting wolves into the house and willingly acting as their pawns,\" which isn't sitting well with other countries in the region. 🐺🏠
This comes after the U.S. announced a whopping $500 million in military aid to the Philippines, aiming to help them respond to the China Coast Guard and what they call \"maritime militia.\" 🚢💰 Plus, Japan and the Philippines have been holding joint military exercises in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, talking about promoting a \"free and open Indo-Pacific.\" 🤝🌐
Zhang emphasized that China has \"indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters.\" 🗺️ He made it clear: \"We will take legitimate countermeasures against deliberate infringements and provocations to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.\" 🚁🛡️
Looks like tensions are heating up in the region, and everyone's watching to see what happens next! 🔥👀
Reference(s):
Third party should not be targeted in defense cooperation, says China
cgtn.com
