The Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Thursday criticized the Philippines for obstructing China's participation in the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), saying Manila's actions undermined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) unity and regional defense cooperation.

At a regular press conference, ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said ADMM-Plus, established in 2010, is the Asia-Pacific's highest-level and largest defense and security dialogue and cooperation mechanism, providing an important platform for building trust, strengthening cooperation and maintaining regional peace and stability.

Zhang said the Philippines, as this year's rotating chair, had allowed certain politicians to act recklessly and abuse their positions to obstruct China's participation in violation of ASEAN's principle of consensus through consultation and the ADMM-Plus' open and inclusive spirit.

He said China nevertheless decided to send personnel to the meeting, demonstrating its firm support for ASEAN centrality and its responsible approach to regional defense and security cooperation. 

Zhang warned that the Philippines' actions would undermine the reputation of ADMM-Plus and erode unity and mutual trust among ASEAN countries, ultimately harming the fundamental interests of the Philippines and regional countries and their people.

On the South China Sea issue, Zhang also responded to recent remarks by the Philippine president expressing concern that missteps by individual fishermen or soldiers could lead to an escalation and calling for progress on consultations over the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

Zhang said improving China-Philippines relations serves both sides' common interests. He urged the Philippines not to let maritime disputes dictate the direction of bilateral ties or allow a small number of people to provoke tensions in the South China Sea and push relations into a dangerous situation.

China's resolve to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests remains unwavering, Zhang said, adding that China will continue to work with ASEAN countries to accelerate COC consultations and jointly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.