China warns Philippine-US base deal 'endangering regional peace'

This photo taken on March 31, 2023 shows Philippine army soldiers standing in formation at a live fire exercise during the joint exercise between the Philippines and the US at Fort Magsaysay in the Philippines' Nueva Ecija province. - AFP

MANILA/BEIJING, April 4, 2023 (AFP): China warned on Tuesday that Washington was "endangering regional peace and stability" with a new deal expanding American troops' access to bases in the Philippines.

"Out of self-interest, the US maintains a zero-sum mentality and continues to strengthen its military deployment in the region," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, adding the "result will inevitably be increased military tension and endangering regional peace and stability".