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

China once again urges the Philippines to withdraw the US Typhoon missile system at an early date, as the deployment of the system brings the risk of geopolitical confrontation and an arms race to the region.

China’s foreign ministry on Thursday called on the Philippines to focus on “peaceful development,” warning that deploying a US medium-range missile system during military exercises could fuel an arms race in the region.