China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning did not firmly confirm nor denied the claims made by Senator Imee Marcos regarding China’s alleged targeting of 25 locations around the Philippine archipelago with hypersonic missiles.
“I’m not sure what the Philippine side’s source was, but I can tell you that China is committed to peaceful development and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and China does not pose a threat to any country,” Mao said in a press conference.
Mao asserted that China will defend its legitimate rights and interests, stating, “we will certainly not sit by and watch when our legitimate rights and interests and regional peace and stability are being violated or threatened.”
Marcos posted a video on Tiktok and Facebook, claiming that China plans to use hypersonic missiles against the Philippines, specifically targeting Batanes, Subic, and Ilocos because of the BrahMos missiles and the live fire exercises during Balikatan.
“I’m really scared with the situation heating up in the West Philippine Sea. I saw that China has plans to use hypersonic missiles,” the senator claimed.
“What kind of situation is this? From what I’ve read, there are BrahMos missiles in Batanes and Subic. So, those two will be the first targets, along with Ilocos because of the live fire exercises during Balikatan,” she concluded.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to comment on this matter. However, in the recent bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) with China, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalating tensions, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
Both parties also planned to resume the Joint Coast Guard Committee and to explore an academic forum for marine scientific cooperation.
Guided by mutual respect, both parties concluded the significance of ongoing dialogue and expressed their commitment to holding the 10th BCM in China to sustain positive momentum.
