Responding to the stepped-up U.S.- Philippine military cooperation, the Chinese defense ministry has said the action will jeopardize the stability of regional peace and China will resolutely defend its interests in the region. 

The ministry’s comments came after Thursday’s announcement that the U.S. would dispatch 275 soldiers and five fighter jets to the Philippines and will carry out joint patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea. 

The Chinese defense ministry accused the two countries of harboring a “cold war mentality.”