“US-Philippine joint patrols in the South China Sea promote regional militarisation and undermine regional peace and stability”, said a Chinese defence ministry statement released late Thursday.
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Aboard the USS John C Stennis/Beijing: The chief USA defence official visited an American aircraft carrier transiting the disputed South China Sea on Friday, as China said one of its top military officers had visited islands and reefs in the region to oversee building work.
“The Chinese military will pay very close attention to related developments, and firmly safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”, he added.
Despite growing bilateral tensions, Mr Carter said the USA is still inviting China to take part in a mammoth, multinational naval exercise in the Pacific in June and July.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Thursday that USA troops and military equipment will be sent on regular rotations in the Philippines.
Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, left, arrives for the closing ceremony of the 11-day joint U.S.-Philippines military exercise dubbed “Balikatan 2016” April 15, 2016 at Camp Aguinaldo in suburban Quezon city, Philippines.
The Philippines and a number of other countries in South East Asia have territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea.
On Friday, Carter emphasized the USA would back up the Philippines and other allies in the region. “Perhaps the USA refers to the safety and freedom of military navigation, if so, countries of the region and many countries around the world all hope that global laws should be followed in this respect”, he said.
China reacted defiantly to the announcement, with its defence ministry warning the military would protect the nation’s territory. The South China Sea dispute also featured in talks between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister of close U.S. ally Australia which is trying to balance security needs with its economy’s reliance on the Chinese market.
“The U.S. Army has now returned, has reinforced its military presence in the Philippines and has given rise to militarisation in the SCS region”, said China’s Ministry of National Defence.
Then taking aim at Manila, the piece went on to state that “provocations, maneuvers, attempts to involve outsiders, or showing off a military alliance with Washington won’t alter the historical fact of China’s sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters”. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the waters.
“There is no question that there is concern in the region about China’s behavior and China’s self-isolating behavior”, he said.
Gazmin, somewhat more bluntly, added that he expects the enhanced American presence will “deter uncalled-for actions by the Chinese”.
Later in the massive gray ship’s hangar bay, Carter said his message in making the trip is that the United States “intends to continue to play a role in keeping peace and stability in this region”.
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During the two-hour sail, the defense chiefs observed take-offs and landings of U.S. F/A-18 Super Hornets and addressed a gathering of troops in the Stennis’ hangar bay.
