Military cooperation between the United States and the Philippines should not damage China's sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, said Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

The U.S.-Philippines military cooperation should not be used to support Manila's illegal claims in the South China Sea, said Lin, and the U.S. is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in maritime issues between China and the Philippines.

(Cover: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a regular press briefing in Beijing, China, March 18, 2024. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)