Defense cooperation between countries should not target any third party or disrupt regional peace and stability, said the Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Friday.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the ministry, said countries such as the United States and Japan keep stirring up troubles and muddying the waters in the South China Sea.

"The Philippines is inviting wolves into the house and willingly acting as their pawns, which is despised by other regional countries," said Zhang.

The spokesperson made the remarks while commenting on the recent U.S. announcement of $500 million in military aid to the Philippines, claiming to help the Philippine side respond to the China Coast Guard and "maritime militia," and a joint military exercise between Japan and the Philippines in the "exclusive economic zone of the Philippines," said to help realize "a free and open Indo-Pacific."

It needs to be emphasized that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters, said Zhang.

"We will take legitimate countermeasures against deliberate infringements and provocations to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," he added.