The Chinese Defense Ministry on Thursday expressed grave concerns about a security meeting between the United States, Japan and the Philippines.

When asked to comment on the trilateral security meeting that vowed to carry out regular joint exercises in the South China Sea, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said bilateral and multilateral security cooperation must be conducive to regional peace and stability and should not target a third party or harm a third party's interests.

"Countries in the East China Sea and South China Sea should refrain from bringing harm to themselves while taking risks for others," said Zhang.

"At present, the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea is generally stable, but certain country out of the region, for its selfish interests, has been busy muddying the waters through military provocation and bloc confrontation, which has exacerbated regional tension," said Zhang.

China is a staunch defender and builder of international rule of law at sea, and China has been committed to properly resolving disputes through negotiation and consultation, he said.

The Chinese side urges relevant countries to stop harming China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and stop saying or doing anything that would further complicate the situation, said the spokesperson.

The Chinese military will watch closely for any change in the situation and take resolute and strong measures to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, he added.

(Cover: Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, at a press conference in Beijing, China, June 29, 2023. /Chinese Defense Ministry)