Beijing has sharply criticized the recent military exercises conducted by the Philippines in collaboration with the United States and Japan in the South China Sea, denouncing the maneuvers as a provocative act that undermines regional stability. Chinese officials argue that such drills escalate tensions in an already contested maritime area, threatening peace and security in Southeast Asia. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized: “The South China Sea should be a sea of peace, cooperation, and friendship, not a stage for power plays and provocations.”

The trilateral exercises, which reportedly included naval and aerial components focusing on maritime security and joint response capabilities, signal growing defense ties among the participating nations amid rising concerns over China’s expansive claims. Critics in Beijing warn…