China has laid claim to many islands and outcrops across the sea that are also claimed by Southeast Asian countries, notably the Philippines and Vietnam.
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His remarks follow the recent flare-up of tensions in the South China Sea where regional countries have overlapping claims to maritime territories.
A U.S. Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft flying Tuesday in global airspace over the East China Sea was intercepted in an “unsafe manner” by a Chinese J-10 fighter jet, several defense officials tell CNN.
Beijing has neither confirmed nor denied it plans such a zone for the South China Sea, saying that a decision would be based on the threat level and that it had every right to set one up.
The Chinese admiral, in a clear reference to Washington, said “freedom of navigation” patrols in the South China Sea were a display of “military muscles” and that China was being forced to “accept and honour” the tribunal’s ruling.
A former Philippine foreign minister and a US security expert said on Tuesday Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte should not hold unconditional bilateral talks with China to try to resolve their South China Sea dispute. He expressed concern about a new law on non-governmental organisations, urging China to let NGOs function across the country.
Commenting while on a visit to Mongolia of Saturday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said: “We would consider an ADIZ over portion of the South China Sea as a provocative and destabilising act, which would automatically raise tensions and call into serious question China’s commitment to diplomatically manage the territorial disputes of the South China Sea”.
China’s President Xi Jinping delivers his speech during the opening session of the US – China Strategic and Economic Dialogues at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on June 6, 2016.
The United States does not take a position on the sovereignty of any of the land features in the South China Sea, he said. At that same meeting, Chinese admiral Sun Jianguo said China advocates patience and dialogue, but rejects the United Nations court’s authority and will not be bullied.
“China is glad to see a new Philippine government that makes wise choices on this regard”, said Wang during the press briefing part of the transcript posted in the official website of the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Monday. “We have to find a way to ensure the smaller dispute in the South China Sea does not spoil the bigger picture”.
The officials, who requested anonymity, said the air crew deemed the encounter to be “unsafe” because of the “high rate of speed” at which the Chinese jet was travelling.
Feng told lawmakers Taiwan would send additional ammunition to Itu Aba for its anti-aircraft guns in the next month.
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China already has said it will not accept a ruling from a United Nations panel over its claims to nearly all of the South China Sea.
