China's defense ministry said joint patrols by the US and Philippine forces in the South China Sea as well as plans of strengthening military ties between the two countries reflect a "cold war mentality" and further raises tension in the disputed waters.

The comment was made amid Beijing's vow to resolutely defend its territories and uphold its sovereignty in the South China Sea region in the face of any infringement from other countries.

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Beijing, whose comments were posted on the defense ministry's website on Thursday, reacted to the recent announcement of the US that it would increase its troops in the Philippines.

"A strengthening of the U.S.-Philippine military alliance... is a manifestation of the Cold War mentality and is not conducive to peace and stability in the South China Sea," the defense ministry said.

More sea and air patrols

The United States announced on Thursday that it will send more troops to the Philippines for more regular and frequent rotations and will launch more sea and air patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter disclosed that the US and the Philippines had actually carried out sea and air patrols in the disputed waters recently and that the two nations will step up their operations in the region.

Although Carter maintained the recent patrols were not meant to provoke China, his Philippine counterpart defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin welcomed the US presence saying it will deter "uncalled for actions" by China.

Brazen actions

China is laying claim to a lage portion of the disputed waters through which $5 trillion worth of ship-borne trade passes every year.

The international waterway is believed to contain large deposits of oil and gas. The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have rival claims in the region.

The US and the claimant countries have expressed concern over China's brazen actions in the region which have been intensified by its buildup of artificial islands in the Spratlys, a group of islands which are being claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam.

Militarization

The Chinese defense ministry emphasized that joint patrols between the US and the Philippines in the disputed waters "promote the militarization of the region."

Chinese authorities likewise said that bilateral military exercises between the two countries should not prejudice the interests of third parties.

"The Chinese army will monitor this trend closely, and will resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty as well as maritime rights and interests," the defense ministry said.

TagsUS-Philippine Military Ties, South China Sea, Chinese Defense Ministry, sea and air patrols, Cold War, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, joint patrols, Beijing