Two Philippine officials say that American and Filipino security officials have agreed to keep a U.S. mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines indefinitely to boost deterrance despite China’s expressions of alarm.

The US Army said in April it had deployed the Typhon mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines for annual joint military exercises, but did not pull it out after the war games. The two countries are bound by a mutual defence pact.

Visitors look at weapons on display during the Asian Defense and Security Exhibition on Sept 25, in Manila, Philippines. The weapons are LITENING 5, top, targetng pod and SPICE 1000, bottom, an autonomous stand-off guidance kit, both of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. (AP)

Gilberto Teodoro Jnr challenged China to dismantle its nuclear arsenal before criticising the presence of US missiles in the Philippines.