China‘s foreign ministry said on Tuesday (April 4) that the United States strengthening its military deployment in the Philippines would only lead to more tension and less peace and stability in the region.

It is driven by a zero-sum mentality, spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing when asked about the Philippines allowing more U.S. military bases.

The office of the Philippine president on Monday (April 3) identified the four additional bases the United States will have access to under an existing defence agreement to expand military cooperation. The announcement comes amid concern over China‘s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and tension over Taiwan.

The sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) will be in Isabela and Cagayan, on the island of Luzon, facing north towards Taiwan, and on Palawan, near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.