Beijing reacts to reports of Japan supplying planes to Philippines

The foreign and defense ministries reacted on Thursday to reports of Japan supplying patrol planes to the Philippines that would be used to monitor activities in the South China Sea.

Reuters cited four anonymous sources as saying that Tokyo wants to provide three Beechcraft TC-90 King Air planes equipped with surface and air surveillance radar to the Philippines, though Manila reportedly preferred a more advanced aircraft, the Lockheed Martin P3-C, which may have the capability to track China's submarine activity.

The US had asked Japan to provide training programs and maintenance for any planes it gives the Philippines, a US military source told Reuters.

"China hopes that the military cooperation by relevant countries contributes to the peace and stabilization of the region, not the contrary," the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense told China Daily in a written response.

The Spokesperson's Office of the Foreign Ministry stated that China hopes to see the parties involved do more to contribute to "improving the mutual trust among countries in the region".