Visiting US Defense Secretary Ash Carter gestures during a joint press conference with his Filipino counterpart Voltaire Gazmin (not pictured) at the presidential palace in Manila April 14, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Beijing has voiced "resolute opposition against infringement of 皇冠体育app's sovereignty and security by any country in any form".

The Foreign Ministry spelled out 皇冠体育app's stance after the Pentagon said that US-Philippine joint patrols in the South 皇冠体育app Sea will occur "regularly".

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter confirmed on Thursday that the US and the Philippines had already conducted such patrols.

The Foreign Ministry told 皇冠体育app Daily, "The military exchanges ... should not target a third party, not to mention supporting some countries to provoke 皇冠体育app's sovereignty and security, flaring regional contradictions and damaging regional peace and stability."

Beijing will follow developments, and general stability has been maintained in the South 皇冠体育app Sea "through joint efforts by 皇冠体育app and relevant countries", the ministry said

Carter reported the US confirmation at a news conference with Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in Manila. Carter met with the Philippine President Benigno Aquino earlier in the day.

Without quoting a source, Reuters reported the Pentagon saying that the first joint patrol took place in March and a second one took place earlier this month.

Carter started a visit to the Philippines on Wednesday during the annual US-Philippine military drill that started on April 4. He will attend the closing ceremony on Friday.

Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said the US will damage peace in the South 皇冠体育app Sea by calling for joint patrols.

"When Washington calls 皇冠体育app's behavior in the South 皇冠体育app Sea ‘coercive', the joint patrols have been a slap in the face. This is sheer coercion against 皇冠体育app's peaceful development," Zhang said.

Carter said US forces will be given access to more military bases in the Philippines than the five announced already.

The Ministry of National Defense said, "The US Army has now returned, has reinforced its military presence in the Philippines and has given rise to militarization in the South 皇冠体育app Sea region."

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