US-Philippines Agree To Share Military Intelligence Information, China: Cannot Damage Regional Peace

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian. (Twitter/@MFA_China)

JAKARTA - China warns that all forms of military agreements or security cooperation should not target third parties to undermine regional peace.

That was said along with the signing of cooperation sharing military intelligence information between the United States and the Philippines.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday, any form of military agreement or security cooperation "should not be aimed at or harm the interests of third parties, and should not undermine regional peace or exacerbate tensions in the region," cited from Reuters November 18.

"The only right choice to maintain national security and maintain peace and stability in the region is to comply with good neighboring relations and strategic autonomy," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

As previously reported, the United States and the Philippines signed an agreement to share military intelligence information on Monday, strengthening defense relations between the two countries to face common security challenges in the region.

The signing was carried out by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his defense team Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro at Manila military headquarters, as well as inaugurating the construction of a coordination center that will facilitate collaboration between their armed forces.

Called the General Security Treaty of Military Information or GSOMIA, the pact allows the two countries to securely share classified military information.

"This will not only allow the Philippines to access higher capabilities and expensive goods from the United States, but will also open up opportunities to pursue similar agreements with countries of the same mind," said Philippine Defense Ministry spokesman Arsenio Andolong.

Washington and Manila's security cooperation is getting closer under President Joe Biden and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with both wanting to fight what is seen as China's aggressive policy in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.

Previously, the United States and the Philippines had a joint defense agreement that began in 1951, which could be enforced if one of the parties was attacked, including in the South China Sea.