Chinese Ministry of Defense underlined on Thursday that the United States has continued strengthening its military deployment in the South China Sea.
Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Tan Kefei stated at a press conference that Washington is "deliberately" increasing regional tensions and warned regional countries that they should remain vigilant.
Beijing "has repeatedly expressed its serious concerns about the new US military bases in the Philippines. [Our country's] military will, as always, defend [our] territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the spokesperson underscored.