China Warns Against Joint US, Philippines, Japan Drills Eroding Regional Trust

China on Monday ?warned against military cooperation that could undermine trust and deepen division in the region, as the United States and the Philippines begin annual military exercises with expanded participation from Japan. “What the Asia-Pacific region most ?needs is peace and tranquility, and what it ?least needs is the introduction of external forces to create division and confrontation,” Guo Jiakun, a ministry ?spokesperson, said at a regular press briefing in Beijing ?when asked about the drills. Military cooperation between nations should not ?undermine mutual understanding and trust among regional countries, disrupt regional peace and stability, be directed against third…