China has reminded both the United States and the Philippines to ensure that their military cooperation is not targeting any other country following Washington's approval for Manila to procure fighter jets.
Guo Jiakun, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said that "whatever defense or security cooperation between the Philippines and other countries should not target any third party or harm their interest."
It must not also "threaten regional peace and security or escalate tensions in the region," he added.
Guo reiterated Beijing's usual stance whenever Washington and Manila come up with a new military cooperation.
Then he asked: "Who exactly is fueling the flames? Who exactly is instigating military confrontation? Who exactly is turning Asia into a 'powder keg?'"
Regional countries are not blind, Guo added.
In a statement released by the US State Department on Wednesday, April 1, it said that it gave the go signal for the possible foreign military sale of 20 units of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines for $5.58 billion or approximately P319 billion.
This came after the Philippine government requested to buy 16 units of F-16 C Block 70/72 aircraft and four units of F-16 D Block 70/72 aircraft.
The principal contractor would be American aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
The package also includes various weapons systems, radars, guided missile launchers and assorted missiles, anti-aircraft guns, general purpose bombs, attack munition, electronic countermeasure systems, spare parts, engines, and other non-major defense equipment (MDE).
According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale will "support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia."