BEIJING – China on Wednesday criticized Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro for his comments defending the deployment of a U.S. missile system in the Philippines, labeling them as “baseless accusations” and a “malicious attack” on China’s Communist Party.
Teodoro’s remarks came in response to China’s opposition to the deployment of the U.S. mid-range Typhon missile system, Philippine media reported. He stated that the Philippines had the right to make such a decision despite China’s objections.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila accused Teodoro of exhibiting “ideological bias, factional confrontation, and cold war mentality,” urging Manila to withdraw the missile deployment swiftly.
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has yet to respond to a Reuters request for comment.