China warns US, Japan, Philippines against 'playing with fire' over joint drills

China has warned the United States, Japan, and the Philippines following the start of their annual joint military exercises involving thousands of troops.

The Chinese foreign ministry said that security cooperation formed through bloc alignment could carry risks and urged against actions that it said could increase tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. It added that regional stability should be maintained through mutual trust and that military cooperation should not target third parties or undermine peace and security in the region.