BEIJING, March 21 -- China on Monday slammed the United States and the Philippines for strengthening military deployment in the South China Sea as the Southeast Asian nation announced plans to give U.S. military access to five bases.

The U.S. and the Philippines announced Friday a deal allowing U.S. military presence at five Philippine bases, including one close to China's Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

"The U.S.-Philippines cooperation should not target third parties, harm the sovereignty or security interests of other states or hamper regional peace and stability," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing.

"The U.S. has talked about militarization in the South China Sea. But can it explain whether its own increased military deployment in the region is equivalent to militarization?" Hua questioned.