China’s government has publicly warned the United States against plans to establish an ammunition assembly and production facility in the Philippines, saying such a move could escalate tensions and destabilise the Asia‑Pacific region.
The warning came after a U.S.‑led defence partnership known as the Partnership for Indo‑Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) agreed to examine funding for a new ammunition line in the Philippines, potentially assembling and packaging munitions closer to strategic areas of interest in the region.
During a press briefing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman urged Washington and its allies to respect the “common aspirations of regional countries” and refrain from actions that could introduce “bloc confrontation, conflict and the chaos of war” into the region. He said that hosting such military production could ultimately “backfire” on the countries involved.
Beijing’s reaction reflects broader sensitivities over U.S.‑Philippine security cooperation and concerns about foreign military activities near China’s claimed sphere of influence. The Philippines is a key U.S. treaty ally, and defence cooperation has deepened in recent years amid ongoing tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
China’s stance is likely to complicate discussions in Manila and Washington over expanding defence infrastructure, even as proponents argue such facilities enhance regional readiness and resilience.