China urged the Philippines to "quickly pull out the Typhon missile system as publicly pledged, and stop going further down the wrong path."

The Philippines said Monday it planned to acquire the US Typhon missile system as part of a push to secure its maritime interests, sparking warnings from China of a regional “arms race”. The US Army deployed the mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines earlier this year for annual joint military exercises with its longtime ally,

The Philippines' defence minister on Tuesday justified the country's deployment of a U.S. medium-range missile system and plans to acquire its own, despite opposition from China, a longstanding rival in the South China Sea.

China said a plan by the Philippines to deploy midrange missiles would be a provocative move that stokes regional tensions. The Philippines top army official told reporters in Manila earlier on Monday that the military plans to acquire a midrange system to defend the country’s territory amid tensions with China in the South China Sea.

China has criticized the Philippines' decision to acquire the U.S.-made Typhon missile system, citing regional security concerns. The move comes amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over disputed waters in the South China Sea.

The Philippines says it plans to buy the U.S. Typhon missile system as part of a push to secure its maritime interests, sparking warnings from China of a regional "arms race."