BEIJING - China on Thursday warned the United States and its allies not to bring bloc confrontation and conflict to the Asia-Pacific after the Pentagon said a US-led manufacturing partnership is seeking to establish a new ammunition production line in the Philippines.

"China always believes that military and security cooperation between countries should not target any third party, harm their interest, or undermine regional peace and stability," Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a regular news briefing.

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Calling Asia-Pacific the most important driving force and stabilizer for world development and prosperity, Lin said the US and its allies should earnestly respect the common aspirations of regional countries and make more contributions to peace and stability rather than bring bloc confrontation and conflict to the Asia-Pacific.

"If relevant countries would like to become a powder keg, this will only backfire. China will firmly defend its territorial sovereignty, security interests and other legitimate rights and interests," he said.