China's foreign ministry on Thursday urged the Philippines to return to "peaceful development," saying Manila's decision to deploy a US medium-range missile system in military exercises would only bring the risks of an arms race to the region.

The US Typhon system, which can be equipped with cruise missiles capable of striking Chinese targets, was brought in for joint exercises earlier this year. On Tuesday, the Philippine defense minister said its deployment was justified.

Philippine military plans to acquire US Typhon missile system

"China will never stand by and watch its own security interests being jeopardized or threatened", said Mao Ning, a spokesperson at the foreign ministry, said at a regular news conference.

(Production: Xiaoyu Yin)