China has once again called on the Philippines to withdraw the United States-made mid-range capability (MRC) missile system also known as Typhon. 

“We once again urge the Philippines to bear in mind that the only right way to safeguard national security is to uphold strategic independence, good neighborliness and friendship, and peaceful development. We once again call on the Philippines to heed the call of regional countries, quickly pull out the missile system as publicly pledged, and stop aggravating its wrongful act,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a press conference in Beijing on 26 December 2024.

In addressing media concerns, Mao accused the Philippines of “introducing geopolitical confrontation and arms race into the region” by allowing the deployment of the American missile system in its territory. 

“Regarding the US deployment of Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system in the Philippines, China has stated its firm opposition on multiple occasions,” she told reporters. 

Mao stressed that the Typhon MRC missile system can carry either conventional or nuclear payloads that pose a “substantive threat to regional peace and security.”

“It is not a defensive weapon, but a strategic and offensive one. The Philippines has worked with the US to bring in the Typhon system. It’s placing its national security and defense in the hands of others,” she added. 

Mao Ning questioned the Philippines’ intention to allow the deployment of the US-made MRC missile system in the country. 

“Whose interest does this move serve? How could anyone believe this is independent foreign policy? What the Philippines is doing benefits no one,” she said. 

“The Philippines once clearly promised that it will not choose sides between major countries, not engage in any activities that will harm China’s interest, and doesn’t intend to incite tensions in the region,” she added. 

Despite what she described as a “clear promise” from the Philippines, Mao said Manila “has helped" a country outside the region in deploying military forces and stoking confrontation.

Defending MRC deployment

In a statement last 24 December, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said no foreign country can intervene in Manila’s execution of its independent foreign policies.

“The Philippines is a sovereign state, not any country’s “doorstep.” Any deployment and procurement of assets related to the Philippines’ security and defense fall within its own sovereign prerogative and are not subject to any foreign veto,” he said. 

Teodoro also defended the deployment of the US missile system in the Philippines, saying this action is “completely legitimate, legal, and beyond reproach.”

He also noted the enhancement of Philippine defense capabilities under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) “is undertaken based on the Philippines’ own national interest and in accordance with our independent foreign policy.”

“It is not targeted against specific countries. Instead, it is targeted against security risks, threats, and challenges,” he added. 

Flexing muscle?

Mao also criticized the Philippines after its army chief disclosed the country’s plan to procure such US-made military assets. 

“The Philippines said openly that the Typhon system was only used during Balikatan and Salaknib exercises and will be shipped out of the country in September following the military exercises,” the Chinese official said. 

“But then the Philippine side went back on its word, saying they would like to have the Typhon here in the Philippines forever and even plans to acquire the systems. This is a deliberate breach of the Philippines’ own words,” she added. 

Mao accused the Philippines of stirring up trouble in the South China Sea and cooperating with external forces to “flex muscle.” 

“Who’s been making provocations and stirring up trouble in the South China Sea? Who’s been cooperating with external forces to flex muscle? Who’s broken the international law and yet claims to uphold it? The answer is quite clear to countries in the region,” she said. 

Mao said China will not sit on its hands when its security interests are in danger or under threat.

“Some individuals in the Philippines need to correct their understanding, reflect on their own words and deeds, and stop inverting the truth and pretending to be the victim,” she said.

She then warned, “the Philippines will be hurting its own interests if it keeps refusing to change course.”

In a press conference in August, at the height of MRC usage in the country’s northern part, US Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Samuel Paparo Jr. said the deployment of weapon systems in the Philippines is part of Washington military’s continuing innovation to further improve interoperability with its Filipino counterparts. 

The MRC, which has been deployed to the northern Philippines since April, was used in the series of Philippines-US military training including the recently concluded Exercise Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) last May. 

The missile system was also utilized as training equipment during the first phase of the ‘Salaknib’ Exercise—an annual Army-to-Army combat drill between the Philippine Army and the US Army Pacific—which is set to conclude by September.  

The missile system was not even fired during these exercises. The MRC, also known as the Typhon Weapon System, is a Lockheed Martin design that takes the naval Mk.41 vertical launch system and modifies it for land-based operations.

This ground-based missile system is capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles.