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China tells US, ASEAN to butt out of sea issue
Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily |
September 22, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA lashed out yesterday at plans by the United States and Southeast Asian countries to issue a joint statement concerning the South China Sea, saying that would only complicate matters.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the issue is a matter only for China and the countries directly involved. Countries without claims in the region should stay out, she said.
"We firmly oppose any country having nothing to do with the South China Sea issue getting involved in the dispute," said the spokeswoman at a regular news briefing, .
"We are concerned about any kind of statement that might be issued by the US and ASEAN over the South China Sea," Jiang said, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"Words or acts that play up tensions in the region and concoct conflicts and provocations in relations between countries in the region are against the common wish of the countries in the region to seek peace and development," Jiang said.
US President Barack Obama will meet ASEAN leaders on Friday to discuss ways to bolster their alliance and discuss economic cooperation and security issues, including the South China Sea issue.
They are going to issue a joint statement. Washington has proposed text to reaffirm the importance of freedom of navigation, regional stability, respect for international law and unimpeded commerce in the South China Sea, according to a draft of the statement seen on Sunday by The Associated Press.
While taking no position on the sovereignty claims, the US insists on unfettered access to one of the world's busiest commercial sea lanes.
Jiang said China has always and always will guarantee freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in accordance with international law.
Jiang said the South China Sea issue is a sovereignty dispute about territory and maritime rights between the relevant countries, and not an issue between China and the ASEAN, nor a regional or international issue.
"The issue can only be resolved bilaterally through friendly negotiation in a peaceful manner," she said.
Jiang reiterated that China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and the surrounding waters.
China issued complaints in July after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a regional security forum in Vietnam that the peaceful resolution of South China Sea disputes was an American national interest.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the issue is a matter only for China and the countries directly involved. Countries without claims in the region should stay out, she said.
"We firmly oppose any country having nothing to do with the South China Sea issue getting involved in the dispute," said the spokeswoman at a regular news briefing, .
"We are concerned about any kind of statement that might be issued by the US and ASEAN over the South China Sea," Jiang said, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"Words or acts that play up tensions in the region and concoct conflicts and provocations in relations between countries in the region are against the common wish of the countries in the region to seek peace and development," Jiang said.
US President Barack Obama will meet ASEAN leaders on Friday to discuss ways to bolster their alliance and discuss economic cooperation and security issues, including the South China Sea issue.
They are going to issue a joint statement. Washington has proposed text to reaffirm the importance of freedom of navigation, regional stability, respect for international law and unimpeded commerce in the South China Sea, according to a draft of the statement seen on Sunday by The Associated Press.
While taking no position on the sovereignty claims, the US insists on unfettered access to one of the world's busiest commercial sea lanes.
Jiang said China has always and always will guarantee freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in accordance with international law.
Jiang said the South China Sea issue is a sovereignty dispute about territory and maritime rights between the relevant countries, and not an issue between China and the ASEAN, nor a regional or international issue.
"The issue can only be resolved bilaterally through friendly negotiation in a peaceful manner," she said.
Jiang reiterated that China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and the surrounding waters.
China issued complaints in July after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a regional security forum in Vietnam that the peaceful resolution of South China Sea disputes was an American national interest.
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