"Who is fueling the fire? Who is provoking military confrontation? Who is turning Asia into a powder keg? I believe regional countries can see this clearly," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun raised these questions in response to a media inquiry about US' latest approval of F-16 fighter jet sales to the Philippines.

Guo reiterated that China has made its stance clear on military and security cooperation between the Philippines and the US. Such cooperation should neither target any third party, undermine its interests, nor threaten regional peace and stability and escalate regional tensions.

The US Department has told Congress it has approved a possible $5.6 billion