The Philippines has condemned China's recent ballistic missile test in the South Pacific, calling it a reckless display of military power that heightens regional tensions and threatens the security of smaller nations.
The Department of National Defense expressed concern about China's actions, stating that the missile launch served no peaceful purpose and was a calculated act of provocation against countries opposing China's expansionist policies.
Defense officials accused Beijing of using the missile launch to intimidate smaller countries in the region and urged China to exercise restraint and act responsibly.
The Philippines stands in solidarity with Pacific nations that have expressed concern over the launch, calling on China to stop turning shared seas into arenas of intimidation and imperial ambition.
China test-fired a long-range ballistic missile into the South Pacific on July 6, which was described as a routine military exercise by Chinese authorities. The missile carried a dummy warhead and landed in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean.
The launch has drawn concern from countries across the Indo-Pacific region, with many expressing worry about the implications for regional peace and security.
