The Region Does Not Need Military Blocs that Incite a New Cold War: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Military blocs are not needed in the Asia-Pacific region, and the cooperation between two countries should not harm the interests of third parties, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Qiang during a press briefing, commenting on the defense agreement between the Philippines and Japan.

Earlier, the Philippine GMA agency reported that the Philippines and Japan signed a defense agreement that will allow the countries to deploy troops on each other's territory for joint exercises and humanitarian operations.

"Cooperation and collaboration between countries should not damage understanding and trust among countries in the region, nor should it destroy regional peace and stability, or be directed against third parties or harm third party interests," Lin Qiang stated.

He emphasized that "military blocs are not needed in the Asia-Pacific region, especially smaller groups that provoke bloc confrontation and the emergence of a new Cold War."

"Any action that destroys peace and stability in the region undermines the unity and cooperation in the region and will lead to caution and joint responses from the peoples of the region," the diplomat added.

He remarked that Japan should reconsider its history of aggression and act cautiously on military security issues.