China has expressed fears that the joint military drills by Philippine and U.S. forces in the South China Sea could lead to greater insecurity in the Philippines.
The Philippines and the U.S. are holding their annual Balikatan or shoulder-to-shoulder joint drills starting next week from April 22 to May 10, during which they will simulate retaking enemy-occupied islands in areas facing Taiwan and the South China Sea.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian said at a regular news conference that attempts to bring in external forces to safeguard its so-called security will only lead to greater insecurity for itself, urging both countries to stop provocation.

Lin also warned that the Philippines should be sober enough to realize that bringing in extra-territorial countries to show off their force in the South China Sea and provoke confrontation will only aggravate tensions and undermine regional stability.