China does not oppose the Philippines’ strengthened military cooperation with the US amid disputes over the South China Sea, which earned the concern of the Western power.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said Tuesday that China “has no objection” with regards to the Philippine relations with other countries, as long as the partnership is not “directed against China.”
He made the pronouncement at the Pandesal Forum, where he was asked about the strengthened military cooperation between the Philippines and the US through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that allows US forces to conduct activities on agreed locations inside Philippine military bases.

Regarding the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines, Huang said he was “very impressed” by how President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. handled both countries’ differences.
According to him, Marcos Jr.’s view was “very similar to the Chinese view and Chinese position.”
“We should try to create a good environment for us to handle the differences, and I believe that we should also seek to settle and manage our differenes through direct friendly consultations and dialogue,” he said.