Manila: The US has deployed a medium-range missile system in the Philippines. This has increased the concern of China and it has lodged a strong objection to it. However, Manila's senior diplomat told his Chinese counterpart on Friday that this deployment is temporary.

There is nothing to worry about

Philippines Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo said that Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had expressed concern about the deployment of US missile system during talks in Laos last month. I assured him that there is nothing to worry about. He said that China's concern is that this can cause instability in the region. I do not agree with this.

Missile deployment for military exercise

The US military said in April that it had sent the ground-to-surface medium-range missile system to the Philippines. It is capable of launching the Missile-6 as well as the Tomahawk land attack missile. It said that it was deployed for joint military exercises with the Philippines, but it was not used during the exercise. However, the Philippine military has said that this missile system could be taken out of the country next month.