China says a plan by the Philippines to deploy midrange missiles would be a provocative move that stokes regional tensions.

The Typhon missile system has raised tensions between Manila and Beijing after its deployment in US-Philippine military drills.

The Philippines' defence minister on Tuesday justified the country's deployment of a U.S. medium-range missile system and plans to acquire its own, despite opposition from China, a longstanding rival in the South China Sea.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday dismissed the opposition of China to the deployment of the United States Typhon missile system to the Philippines. In a statement on Tuesday, Teodoro pointed out that “the deployment of US mid-range missile assets to the Philippines in the context of joint exercises are completely legitimate,

Chinese ships, including a navy vessel, confronted Philippine vessels close to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

The Philippines' decision to explore the acquisition of the U.S.-developed Typhon missile system has ignited tensions with China, which has condemned the move as a provocative escalation in an already volatile region.

The Philippines said Monday it planned to acquire the US Typhon missile system as part of a push to secure its maritime interests, sparking warnings from China of a regional "arms race".And on Monday,