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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No military deal should harm any other country — China

No military deal should harm any other country — China

Published Nov 18, 2024 01:32 pm

China has reminded the Philippines and the United States that no military pact between or among countries should harm any third party nor trigger tension in the region.

Lin Jian, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, on Monday, Nov. 18, reacted to the signing of Manila and Washington of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) that will allow the sharing of military information between the two sides.

That came after US Defense chief Lloyd Austin visited Manila—his fourth in the country—before US President Joe Biden, whose administration developed stronger military alliance with the Philippines amid China's continued aggression, concludes his presidency.

"No military agreement, or defense and security cooperation, in whatever form, should target any third party or harm the interests of any third party. Nor should it undermine regional peace or exacerbate regional tensions," Lin said in a press briefing in Beijing.

For Lin, the only "right choice" to safeguard national security as well as regional peace and stability "is to uphold good-neighborliness and friendship and maintain strategic independence."

Combined Coordination Center (CCC)

Austin and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gibo Teodoro on Monday signed GSOMIA and broke ground for the upcoming Combined Coordination Center (CCC) that will serve as a hub that will enable real-time information sharing between the military of both sides.

Washington viewed the establishment of CCC as something that "represents a significant milestone in the enduring U.S.-Philippines alliance."

"This new facility is a modern capability designed to enhance interoperability between the two forces through the Pacific Multidomain Training and Experimentation Capability (PMTEC), allowing AFP and US forces to operate as a combined command center for strategic planning, joint operations, intelligence sharing, and rapid response coordination ensuring both nations are ready to respond to regional challenges," the US Embassy in Manila said.

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Photo courtesy of the US Embassy in Manila

The center also "symbolizes the deepening of ties, reflecting on the ironclad partnership that has evolved through consistent training," according to the embassy.

The CCC will integrate new defense technologies and joint training to reinforce the Philippines' and the US' readiness to meet both conventional and unconventional challenges.

"This building demonstrates the US commitment to standing with the Philippines' on our combined defense capabilities while promoting a collaborative, multilateral approach to regional security," the embassy said.

Related Tags

Gibo teodoro LLOYD AUSTIN Lin Jian GSOMIA
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