“To build necessary military defense facilities on islands far away from our mainland is both required by the national defense need and the need to safeguard our islands and reefs”, Liu said.
Advertisement
As reported by the Reuters news agency, China plans to “expand and upgrade” the civilian facilities on the islands “to better serve commercial ships, fishermen, to help distressed vessels and provide more public services”.
China also lays claim to most of the South China Sea, which has prompted Washington to conduct several “freedom of navigation” operations.
In response to a question on the militarisation of the South China Sea, Hong said it is “groundless to link China’s construction on its own islands and reefs in the South China Sea to militarisation”.
That has prompted concerns in Washington and across the region that Beijing is trying to militarise its claims in the South China Sea.
Only a week ago, two American B-52 strategic bombers flew near Chinese artificial islands in the South China Sea, ignoring calls to leave the area from Beijing’s aviation authorities.
He, however, said that the issue did not figure in the bilateral talks between the Prime Minister and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang which were held on the same day.
“We are hopeful that China would honour its word and respect the rule of law”, Aquino said, according to a copy of his address to the 18-country East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
The U.S.is trying to preserve influence in Asia and China to gain it. China is looking to translate its economic clout into greater military sway, with the South China Sea becoming the focal point of the broader geopolitical shifts in the region.
China insists it has “undisputed sovereignty” over most of the South China Sea, a claim that overlaps with four ASEAN countries.
Obama also said it “would be helpful” if Russian Federation directed its focus on tackling Islamic State. Of the features, 42 have been illegally occupied by three of China’s neighbors. “So, it’s not just Asean but China wants this, too”, he said.
Obama’s view was echoed by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak who is the rotating host of this year’s ASEAN. Liu asked. “We hope regional countries and those outside the region will make positive and constructive contribution to our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea”.
Liu denied allegations that China is waiting to complete its construction activities in the sea before agreeing to a binding code of conduct, in a move to tie the hands of its rival claimants.
The East Asia Summit includes 10-member Asean plus China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Advertisement
Beijing protested the USS Lassen’s mission in the South China Sea, accusing the United States of escalating tensions in the region.
