Chinese military irked by Indian Navy drill with Philippines
BEIJING: Peeved over the recent naval exercises between the navies of India and Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, Chinese military on Thursday said defence cooperation between different countries should not harm the interests of third countries and regional peace.
Answering a question from Chinese media about naval exercises between an Indian naval ship and the Philippines naval vessel besides plans by France to hold naval and air drills with Philippine Navy, spokesman of Chinese defence ministry senior colonel Wu Qian said China has taken note of the reports.
China has always emphasised that defence and security cooperation between relevant countries must not harm the interests of third parties or hurt regional peace & stability, he said.
China is getting restive about military cooperation between Philippines and other countries as its coastguard ships recently involved face-offs with Philippines navy vessels to assert Beijing’s control over the parts of the disputed South China Sea, also claimed by Manila.
The Philippines Navy this month alleged that the Chinese ships used water cannons to attack its ships. China claims most of the South China Sea. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have made counterclaims over the area.
