Article Posted on : - Jan 24, 2012

A file photo.

BEIJING (PTI): China on Monday questioned US and the Philippines' plans to hold joint military drills near the disputed waters in the South China Sea saying that American intervention could destabilise peace in the region.

"One can't help but raise questions about the real intentions behind Washington's pivot to the Asia-Pacific region", a commentary in the state-run Xinhua news agency said about the US, Philippines plan to hold joint military drills from March to April.

China claims the entire South China Sea and the islands, which are believed to be rich with oil and gas resources, as its own.

Besides Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also question the Chinese claim and stake their own claims over the same.

The Xinhua commentary said both US and Philippines have claimed that their proposed wargames are not directed against other countries in the region, "but the motive behind the planned joint drills is really dubious", it said.

"The planned joint military drills show, the United States could become a destabilising force in the region itself if it puts its power in the wrong places", it said.

"As to the issue of the South China Sea, the priority for all parties is to shelve disputes and refrain from taking radical measures to escalated the situation", it said.

Calling US an "outside power", the news report said Washington should work with all parties concerned to prevent tensions from getting out of control, rather than support "one side or the other".

"Instead of trying to arm the Philippines and stoking tensions, the United States should restrain the activist and provocative moves by its so-called ally", it said.

"After all, it is in the interests of all parties to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, which has been considered as a major engine driving the global economy", it said.