The China’s Ministry of National Defense has called on the Philippines to cease actions that it says infringe on Beijing’s territorial sovereignty and disrupt regional peace in the South China Sea (SCS)

According to ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin, recent reports of the Philippines rallying countries outside the region to conduct joint patrols and military exercises, as well as proposals to establish a task force targeting China, are “provocative” and exacerbate tensions.

“The root cause of tensions in the South China Sea is that the Philippine side frequently draws in outside forces to conduct infringement and provocation,” Jiang said. 

“China rejects any unfounded accusations that propagate false narratives and distort legal facts. We will neither tolerate blackmailing by those who provoke first and play the victim, nor indulge provocation in collusion with outside powers,” he added. 

Jiang emphasized that China remains committed to peace and stability, but warned the Philippines that continued actions could lead to consequences. 

“We urge the Philippine side to stop undermining joint efforts by regional countries in pursuing peace and development, and cease its infringement, provocation, and propaganda. Otherwise, the higher it jumps, the harder it will fall.”

ASEAN Defense Cooperation

Separately, Minister of National Defense Dong Jun recently attended the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus and the 15th China-ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, where he engaged with defense leaders from ASEAN countries to strengthen regional security ties.

Jiang Bin highlighted that China-ASEAN defense cooperation has expanded in areas such as high-level exchanges, joint training, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, medical services, and disaster relief.

“As a good neighbor, friend, and partner to ASEAN, China firmly supports ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture,” Jiang said.

“We stand ready to work with ASEAN countries to uphold peace, carry forward the tradition of harmonious coexistence, champion dialogue over confrontation, and jointly address security challenges. Through these efforts, we aim to build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future,” he added.

The Chinese defense ministry framed its approach as balancing firm defense of its territorial claims with proactive engagement in regional cooperation.

Responding earlier to China’s defense ministry, which accused the Philippines of “blackmailing” China and warned Manila to “change its ways or suffer the consequences,” Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said he would only consider talks with his Chinese counterparts if Beijing showed “good faith and sincerity” amid renewed tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Teodoro made the remarks in a chance interview on Sunday night following the signing of the Philippines-Canada Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), responding to China’s defense ministry, which accused the Philippines of “blackmailing” China and warned Manila to “change its ways or suffer the consequences.”

“The Chinese defense minister said we must mend our ways or face consequences, and accused the Philippines of blackmail. Would you engage with someone who spoke to your country like that? Of course not,” Teodoro said, stressing that genuine dialogue requires mutual respect.

He added, “I would be willing to talk if there was even a semblance of good faith and sincerity—but right after being accused of blackmail? That’s not the time.”