Freedom of navigation ‘not an issue’
Print Edition
CHINA’S Defense Minister Chang Wanquan yesterday called on certain countries to stop playing up the issue of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea since there has never been a problem.
Speaking at the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus, Chang said China supports the ADMM Plus mechanism to play a constructive role in pushing for an open, tolerant, transparent and equal regional security cooperation structure.
Considering the fact that opportunities and challenges coexist in the Pacific region, China advocates an integrated, cooperative and sustainable security concept, and calls on all sides to embark on a path of security cooperation, he said.
China is willing to join hands with ASEAN to build a closer community, deepen pragmatic cooperation in defense and have active interaction with other countries in the region, he said.
Countries should jointly handle disputes and control risks in order to create a suitable environment, he said.
Chang expressed strong opposition to the United States’ recent action of sending a navy vessel close to China’s Nansha Islands in the South China Sea and urged the US to respect China’s sovereignty and security concerns.
On the issue of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, as played up by some countries at the meeting, Chang said it was, in itself, a false proposition.
More than 100,000 vessels pass through the sea each year, and none has claimed to have encountered any hindrance, trouble or danger, which points to the fact that freedom of navigation is never threatened and is therefore not a problem, the minister said.
Consequently, the issue should not be hyped up or even become an excuse for provocation, he said.
Chang said also that China has been committed to building a China-ASEAN community of common destiny with all members of the Southeast Asian group.
The South China Sea is an important waterway for Asia-Pacific countries’ international trade and energy transport, and China would never do anything that might affect the freedom of navigation within it, he said.
Rather, the country has provided public security products, navigational guidance and assistance, Chang said.
China has always respected and defended all countries’ freedom of navigation and fly-over in the South China Sea and other places in the world according to international law, Chang said.
Peace, development and cooperation have become the trend of the times, he said, calling on all parties to follow that trend and play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
Founded in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The ADMM-Plus brings together defense ministers from the 10 ASEAN countries and its eight dialogue partners, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States.
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