"The close reconnaissance conducted by the U.S. military aircraft of China's maritime features is highly likely to cause miscalculation and untoward incidents in the waters and airspace, and is utterly dangerous and irresponsible. China firmly opposes America's provocation,"spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.
Hua's comments came after some U.S. officials were reported saying that equitable resolution of disputes and freedom of navigation are being challenged by Chinese activities in the South China Sea.
For a long period of time, there has been no problem concerning freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea, which all countries are entitled to under the international law, Hua said. "Nor will there be any in the future."
China has always valued and safeguarded the freedom and safety of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea, Hua said.
But the freedom of navigation and over-flight in no way means that foreign military vessels or aircraft can violate the international law and disregard the legitimate rights and the safety of over-flight and navigation of other countries, she said.
Hua said China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity was "as firm as a rock."
She urged the United States to correct its mistake, stay rational and stop irresponsible words and actions.
In response to a question concerning U.S. officials' comments on the code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC), Hua said China and ASEAN countries are fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).
Under this framework, consultations on the COC are progressing steadily and all parties are making efforts to seal the COC based on consensus, she said.
As the United States is not concerned in the South China Sea, it should show full respect for China and ASEAN countries, be discreet with words and actions and create a favorable environment for consultation rather than stir up trouble, Hua said.
Xinhua - china.org.cn
26/5/15
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Related:
China asserts right to monitor airspace, water near islands
China says U.S. actions in South China Sea 'irresponsible, dangerous'...
- China lodges complaint with U.S. over spy plane flight...
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China Downplays Land Building in South China Sea ...
ReplyDeleteChina said its controversial and extensive buildup of islands and reefs in the South China Sea is no different than other public construction projects, such as the repairing of roads and building of bridges and apartments.
The question over who owns remote islands and reefs in the South China Sea has been a source of growing tension among China, the Philippines, Vietnam the United States and other countries in recent years.
But the territorial dispute has deepened in recent weeks following evidence that China has massive land reclamation projects that appear to be building up military installations in the disputed waters.
Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told reporters Tuesday that from his perspective, that has nothing to do with China’s actions or behavior in the South China Sea.
Instead, Yang said, it is the deliberate manipulation of the issue by others that has turned the issue into a controversy.
'Exaggerate concerns'
Yang said one of the reasons for this is that “some are trying to damage the reputation of China’s military and deliberately exaggerate concerns about stability in the region.” He added that one “cannot rule out the possibility that some countries are doing this to create an excuse for possible actions that they might take in the future.”
Yang was responding to questions from reporters Tuesday at a briefing on the release of an annual defense white paper, entitled China’s Military Strategy..........http://www.voanews.com/content/china-downplays-land-building-in-south-china-sea/2790646.html
26/5/15
China to extend military reach, build lighthouses in disputed waters...
ReplyDeleteChina outlined a strategy to boost its naval reach on Tuesday and held a groundbreaking ceremony for two lighthouses in disputed waters, developments likely to escalate tensions in a region already jittery about Beijing's maritime ambitions.
In a policy document issued by the State Council, the Communist-ruled country's cabinet, China vowed to increase its "open seas protection", switching from air defense to both offence and defense, and criticized neighbors who take "provocative actions" on its reefs and islands.
China has been taking an increasingly assertive posture over recent years in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, where Beijing has engaged in land reclamation in the Spratly archipelago.
China, which claims most of the South China Sea, criticized Washington after a U.S. spy plane flew over areas near the reefs last week, with both sides accusing each other of stoking instability.
It has overlapping claims with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei in the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year.........http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/26/us-china-defence-idUSKBN0OB0CA20150526?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
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Taiwan Proposes Peace Plan for Disputed South China Sea ...
ReplyDeleteTaiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, in proposing a peace initiative to ease tensions in the South China Sea, called for cooperation among governments, including China, that claim all or parts of the ocean rich in oil, gas and fisheries.
Ma asked countries that claim the massive South China Sea to set aside sovereignty disputes and work together on resource exploration. His initiative suggests that no one nation take unilateral action that could inflame tensions.......http://www.voanews.com/content/taiwan-proposes-peace-plan-for-disputed-south-china-sea/2790758.html
26/5/15