China to Philippines: Stop serving as other country's mouthpiece

Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday urged the Philippines not to serve as any other country's mouthpiece, in comments to military cooperation between Manila and Washington.

According to Guo, defense or security cooperation between the Philippines and other countries should not target any third party or harm their interest, still less threaten regional peace or escalate tensions in the region.

"Facts have repeatedly proven that nothing good could come out of opening the door to a predator," he said. "Those who willingly serve as chess pieces will be deserted in the end."

"Our message to some in the Philippines: stop serving as other country's mouthpiece and no more stunt for personal political agenda," Guo said.

The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on reports about Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez speaking of the U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's scheduled visit to the Philippines on Friday and Saturday.