China in 'combat-ready' warning
Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily |
June 29, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
China has begun "combat-ready patrols" in the South China Sea, the Defense Ministry said yesterday, the latest escalation in tensions over the potentially resource-rich area.
Asked what China would do in response to Vietnamese air patrols over the Nansha Islands, ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said China would "resolutely oppose any militarily provocative behavior."
"In order to protect national sovereignty and our security and development interests, the Chinese military has already set up a normal, combat-ready patrol system in seas under our control," he said.
"The Chinese military's resolve and will to defend territorial sovereignty and protect our maritime rights and interests is firm and unshakeable," Geng added, according to a transcript on the ministry's website (www.mod.gov.cn).
Geng said China's armed forces shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding the country's territorial sovereignty, sea rights and interests, adding that this fact is not directly related to the establishment of the city of Sansha. China may set up local military command organs in the city according to relevant regulations, he said.
The State Council, or China's Cabinet, has approved the establishment of the prefectural-level city of Sansha to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha island groups and their surrounding waters, while the government seat will be stationed on Yongxing Island, part of the Xisha Islands, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
The council has abolished a county-level administrative office for the island groups that was also stationed on Yongxing Island, the statement said.
Last week China said it "vehemently opposed" a Vietnamese law asserting sovereignty over the Xisha and Nansha islands, which straddle key shipping lanes thought to contain rich energy reserves.
CNOOC, China's offshore oil specialist, said earlier this week that it would invite foreign partners to jointly explore and develop nine blocks in the western part of the South China Sea this year.
On Tuesday, Vietnam said CNOOC's plan was "illegal" and the blocks encroached on Vietnamese territorial waters.
At a regular briefing on Wednesday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, insisted that the tenders were in accord with Chinese and international law and urged Vietnam not to escalate the dispute.
Asked what China would do in response to Vietnamese air patrols over the Nansha Islands, ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said China would "resolutely oppose any militarily provocative behavior."
"In order to protect national sovereignty and our security and development interests, the Chinese military has already set up a normal, combat-ready patrol system in seas under our control," he said.
"The Chinese military's resolve and will to defend territorial sovereignty and protect our maritime rights and interests is firm and unshakeable," Geng added, according to a transcript on the ministry's website (www.mod.gov.cn).
Geng said China's armed forces shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding the country's territorial sovereignty, sea rights and interests, adding that this fact is not directly related to the establishment of the city of Sansha. China may set up local military command organs in the city according to relevant regulations, he said.
The State Council, or China's Cabinet, has approved the establishment of the prefectural-level city of Sansha to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha island groups and their surrounding waters, while the government seat will be stationed on Yongxing Island, part of the Xisha Islands, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
The council has abolished a county-level administrative office for the island groups that was also stationed on Yongxing Island, the statement said.
Last week China said it "vehemently opposed" a Vietnamese law asserting sovereignty over the Xisha and Nansha islands, which straddle key shipping lanes thought to contain rich energy reserves.
CNOOC, China's offshore oil specialist, said earlier this week that it would invite foreign partners to jointly explore and develop nine blocks in the western part of the South China Sea this year.
On Tuesday, Vietnam said CNOOC's plan was "illegal" and the blocks encroached on Vietnamese territorial waters.
At a regular briefing on Wednesday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, insisted that the tenders were in accord with Chinese and international law and urged Vietnam not to escalate the dispute.
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