China has lashed out at the Philippines for hosting American missile systems capable of striking deep into Chinese territory, warning Manila that it is “inviting wolves into the house” and risking “self-destruction” by deepening its military alignment with Washington, South China Morning Post reported.
This comes after reports that the United States has decided to deploy additional strategic Typhon missile systems in the Philippines after transporting the mid-range missile launcher to Luzon, the largest island in Philippines, last year.
The first Typhon system arrived in the Philippines in April 2024 during joint US-Philippine exercises, marking its first overseas deployment.
The ground-based launcher, capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles with ranges of up to 2,000 km, puts parts of the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and even mainland China within striking distance from their positions in Luzon.
Last week, Philippine Army spokesman Colonel Louie Dema‑ala said the arrival of more Typhon launchers – also known as Medium Range Capability (MRC) systems – would “be very welcome” because training on the advanced weapons system had been limited to only a few personnel so far.
In addition to the Typhon, the US military has also deployed the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) anti-ship missiles to the Philippines, which were used in last month’s Balikatan joint exercise.
The Phillipine military said that the NMESIS will also remain as a “deterrent against coercion”.
It was stationed in Batanes, the Philippines’ northernmost islands, just 190 km from Taiwan.
Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said in Beijing that the Philippines was “binding itself to the US war machine”, accusing Manila of undermining regional security.
“Inviting wolves into the house will backfire, leading to self-destruction. They will destroy their own homes,” he said.
Beijing claims nearly 90 per cent of the South China Sea under its “nine-dash line” map — a claim rejected by a 2016 international tribunal ruling. It has constructed military outposts on several artificial islands in these waters, through which roughly one-third of global shipping trade flows. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also have competing claims.
The tension between China and the Philippines, a treaty ally of the US, has risen significantly in the past couple of years.
Beyond fishery clashes, the two coastguards and naval forces have had several stand-offs over multiple reefs in the area.
As part of its broader defence modernisation, the Philippines has also begun inducting BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India.
Under a $375 million deal signed in 2022, Manila has already received two of three planned shore-based BrahMos batteries.
The system — co-developed by India and Russia — is being positioned as a coastal defence asset and is widely viewed as a counter to China’s growing maritime presence.
