Beijing warned Manila on Wednesday over the deployment of intermediate-range missiles from the United States, saying such a move would provoke geopolitical confrontation and trigger an arms race.

Countries should promptly withdraw the intermediate-range missile systems as the region needs peace and prosperity rather than confrontation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a daily news briefing.

His comments came as Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said following a 2+2 dialogue between foreign and defense ministers of the US and the Philippines in Manila that the US deployment of intermediate-range missiles in his country was aimed at enhancing Philippine self-defense capabilities, not for any offensive purposes, and would not lead to an arms race.

The US deployed its Typhon missile system to the Philippines as part of joint military drills earlier this year.

Lin emphasized that, by allowing the US to deploy intermediate-range missiles, the Philippines is cooperating with external forces to fuel regional tensions, provoke geopolitical confrontation and trigger arms races, which he said goes against the historical trend.

He urged relevant countries to heed the calls of countries in the region, rectify their wrong practices as soon as possible, and not to further go down the wrong path.