President xi jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at a U.S.-China business roundtable, comprised of U.S. and Chinese CEOs, in Seattle, Washington September 23, 2015. Reuters/Elaine Thompson/Pool

The joint military action from the United States and Singapore has prompted the Chinese military to keep a close watch. China is hoping that the US P8 Poseidon spy plane deployed to Singapore will not cause any instability, although the primary reason for its deployment is the tensions brewing in the South China Sea region.

"We are paying close attention to how the relevant situation develops, and hope bilateral defence cooperation between the relevant countries is beneficial to regional peace and stability and not the opposite," Reuters quoted China's defence ministry. The ministry called the decision as a means of militarising the area.

China has been at odds with the United States and other countries since its island-building initiative in the South China Sea started causing tensions. The West has been challenging Beijing on its claims on freedom of navigation and rights over the disputed region. It has also criticised China in attempting to militarise South China Sea region although the latter denied it.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen saw the inaugural deployment of the aircraft starting December 7 up to December 14. This also marks possible future deployments in Singapore as a response to China's efforts in the disputed waters. China has been claiming rights over the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea. The region sees trillions of dollars in maritime trade yearly.

"I think this kind of increase in military deployment by the United States and pushing regional militarisation does not accord with the joint long-term interests of the countries in this region," Reuters quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying in another report and briefing.

The spokesman also said Beijing believes that Singapore, similar to other nations in the region, is looking forward to a harmonious Southeast Asia. The United States has been conducting operations in the Philippines and Japan, operating P8s. It also launched surveillance flights in Malaysia.

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