On Sunday, China hit out at United States “provocations” and said it does not fear “trouble” over its territorial disputes with neighbors in the South China Sea.
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She added that they blamed China for the regional security issue when China is actually the victim and sowed discord between China and other regional countries.
China has said it will not respect the court’s decision and there are fears in Manila that China may retaliate by declaring an air defence identification zone in the disputed waters or by reclaiming disputed Scarborough Shoal.
On Friday at the summit, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter warned China was at risk of “erecting a Great Wall of self-isolation” if it continued with its policies in the region.
According to the U.S. Defense Department, China has nearly completed its reclamation work in the Spratly Islands and the militarization of the islands, including construction of radar facilities, is believed to be in its final stage.
Meanwhile, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Admiral Sun Jianguo said that the issue had become overheated due to “provocations of certain countries for their own selfish interests”, per CNN.
“I hope that this development doesn’t occur because it will result in actions being taken both by the United States, and actions being taken by others in the region that will have the effect of not only increasing tensions but isolating China”, Carter said.
He went on to reiterate that Beijing would not recognize a pending decision of an global tribunal in The Hague in a case brought by the Philippines contesting China’s claim to some territory in the region.
The Chinese admiral said USA naval and air patrols in the sea were a display of “military muscle” and China was being forced to “accept and honor” the tribunal’s ruling.
“China firmly opposes such behavior”. We’re not isolated, and we will not be isolated in the future.
“So long as the two sides tackle differences and sensitive issues in the principle of mutual respect and equality, the bilateral relations can avoid major disturbance”, Xi said, adding that China and the United States should strengthen communication and cooperation on Asia-Pacific affairs.
Fiery Cross is also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
“The objective of the PH [Philippines] is to cover up its illegal occupancy of some reefs in the Nansha islands”, the admiral claimed, using the Chinese name for the Spratly Islands.
Safeguarding the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea is not only the requirement of global law, but also in line with China’s fundamental interests, she said, adding that China will unswervingly ensure it. “The only position we’ve taken is let’s not resolve this by unilateral action; let’s resolve this through rule of law, through diplomacy, through negotiation”, he said.
Sun also struck back with criticism of recent USA military deployments in the region, including ships and aircraft.
Sun on Sunday repeated China’s pledges to seek a peaceful solution to the territorial dispute.
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Concern at China’s assertiveness over the vital trade route was deepening, several envoys said on the sidelines of the summit, particularly given the prospect of Chinese military facilities on new artificial islands built on reefs in the South China Sea.
