The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday condemned China’s reported submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the Pacific Ocean, calling it a “reckless display of military power” that disregards smaller nations and regional stability.

“This launch serves no peaceful purpose and is a calculated act of taunting and provocation against those who reject China’s illegal expansionism and coercive conduct,” DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

The defense department warned that such actions heighten tensions and undermine efforts to maintain peace in shared waters, particularly in the Pacific where many nations rely on maritime resources for livelihood and security.

The Philippines also expressed solidarity with its Pacific partners, urging China to act responsibly and refrain from turning international waters into “arenas of intimidation and imperial ambition.”

China has not immediately issued a response to the Philippine statement.