Kerry said United States would consider it as a “provocative and destabilizing 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.
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, meanwhile, urged China to exercise self-restraint over the South China Sea issue, stressing the U.S. position that the issue must be settled through the rule of law, diplomacy and negotiations.
On a trip to Mongolia Sunday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said the establishment of such a zone would be considered “a provocative and destabilising act”.
The South China Sea disputes are pressing, as an global arbitration court in The Hague prepares to rule on a case brought by the Philippines against China, with regards to its territorial claims.
Beijing has said it won’t accept negotiations that rely on the Hague ruling, and accused the US of hyping up the issue as a pretext for advancing its own military footprint in the region.
But experts say the dispute will continue.
An Economic Times report features Carter’s speech, which brought the U.S.’s pressure on China another step higher by warning the Asian country of consequences for its actions. He travels on to China later Sunday for annual U.S.
“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 U.S. should strengthen communication and cooperation on Asia-Pacific affairs.
The US and China have had several rounds of unfruitful talks on a bilateral investment treaty.
The South China Sea has become a hotly contested issue for the USA and China.
“We also believe other countries concerned have the same wisdom and the patience to walk on the path of peace along with China”, Sun reportedly said. The United States lifted Vietnam’s arms embargo last month.
He said China’s artificial islands now covered more than 3000 acres of new land, on top of the atolls that were already there.
Hua said that all parties should enhance maritime practical cooperation, jointly address non-traditional maritime security threats and maintain regional peace and stability on the sea.
Monday’s meeting is set to cover issues beyond the South China Sea, including climate change, cyber-security, terrorism, trade and economic cooperation.
The ruling is expected in the coming weeks and China has already said it won’t recognise it.
China claims nearly the entire sea.
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