Countries urged not to act as US pawns

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday blasted the announcement of four new military bases by the Philippines for the United States, urging regional countries not to act as Washington's pawns so as to avoid harming themselves.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily news conference after the Philippines identified the locations of the bases, including three close to Taiwan, and one near the South China Sea, which are seen as aimed at combating China.

The Philippines Department of National Defense Chief Carlito Galvez said on Wednesday that the addition of four sites to the US will further boost the country's capabilities to safeguard national interests, contribute to collective defense in the region and protect the busy commercial waterways in the South China Sea.