China warns against increased US military activity with Asian allies
The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, says that the joint military drills held by South Korea and the US armies near the border with the DPRK will worsen the arms race in the region and undermine nuclear non-proliferation.
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Multiple launch rocket systems of the South Korean army fire at targets during a joint military exercise held by the US and South Korea at the Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pochean, South Korea, May 25 2023. (AP)
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has warned against the expansive joint military drills held by the armies of the US and South Korea near the border between South Korea and the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK).
"This action completely overlooks the detente on the Korean Peninsula. It will only worsen the arms race and undermine nuclear nonproliferation, regional peace, and stability," Mao Ning, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily news briefing on Friday.
The official underlined China's concerns regarding the US's mobilization of several "small club" Asian allies in joint military drills such as South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan which will only build up tensions in the region.
The exercise which was designated as "Combined annihilation firepower drills" commenced on Thursday to mark the 70-year alliance between the US and South Korea.
The drills on Thursday are the first of a total of five rounds of military exercises that are expected to continue until mid-June
This also marks the largest-scale drills between the two countries which have taken part in a total of 11 exercises since 1977 as 2,500 troops participated in the training which hosted 610 weapons systems including fighter jets, attack helicopters, drones, tanks, and artillery of both armies, according to the South Korean Defense Ministry.
Previously in May, the DPRK described the joint drills held between the two countries as a manifestation of the "warmongers' madness" and vowed to increase its nuclear deterrence in response to increased military mobilization just 20 miles off its borders.
Pyongyang called out the two nations for their increased "nuclear blackmail", adding that the two are preparing for an invasion as the DPRK threatened with a "corresponding response."
State news agency KCNA reported that the US and South Korean "plot to crush us militarily is another clear indication that the enemy warmongers' madness has reached a point where it cannot be overlooked."
