China reacted with anger to an April statement by G-7 foreign ministers expressing opposition to any “intimidating, coercive or provocative” actions in the East China Sea and South China Sea.
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China has termed the flexing of muscles by outside countries the “greatest threat to peace and stability” and the reason for tensions in the South China Sea.
China claims most of the energy-rich waters through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year.
Tourists can participate in sea plane trips, island weddings, and fishing and diving trips, he was quoted as saying in a China Daily report yesterday. Its neighbours, including the Philippines and Vietnam, have rival claims.
“The G7 recognises the ongoing large scale movements of migrants and refugees as a global challenge which requires a global response”, the leaders said in a statement.
Cai Chaohui, vice-president of Sanya’s port affairs centre, told the paper: “I’m confident about the prospects… many tourists want to have a look at the mysterious islands”.
“The arrival of tourists will nourish the need for divers and windsurfers”, Xiao said, adding that the cruises have become popular. To date, only Chinese nationals have be permitted to go on tours there. Tourist packages to the Paracels are now sold only to mainland Chinese, who also have to be screened by the authorities before being allowed on board.
On Wednesday night, Abe met Obama for talks dominated by the arrest of a US military base civilian worker in connection with the killing of a young woman on Japan’s Okinawa island, reluctant host to the bulk of the USA military in Japan.
“The Chinese military aircraft conducted identification and verification in accordance with relevant regulations and rules”, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told a monthly news briefing late Thursday.
The Pentagon said that it was investigating the May 17 intercept, which it said took place in worldwide airspace during what the USA called a “routine patrol”.
Yang said the agreement only provides a technical regulation, and the best solution was for the USA to stop such action.
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The Philippines’ arbitration case that seeks to nullify China’s claim to nearly all of the South China Sea has gained the support of the G7-the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan-Australia and the European Union.
