US told to respect China's interests as it shifts navy
Source: Agencies |
June 5, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Chinese Foreign Ministry said yesterday it hoped the United States will respect China's regional interests, after the US announced plans to shift most of its warships to the Asia-Pacific by 2020.
"At present, the grand trend and broad aspiration of the Asia-Pacific region is towards seeking peace, fostering cooperation and encouraging development," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.
"All sides should strive to preserve and promote regional peace, stability and development. The approach of artificially stressing military security, enhancing military deployments and strengthening military alliances is out of keeping with the times," Liu said.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the Pentagon would reposition its naval fleet so that 60 percent of its battleships would be in the Asia-Pacific by the end of the decade, up from about 50 percent now.
"The Asia-Pacific is the region where Chinese and US interests most overlap, and we welcome the United States to play a constructive role in the region," Liu said. "We also hope that the United States will respect the interests and concerns of all sides in the Asia-Pacific, including China."
Liu called on the United States to work together with countries in the region to seek common security through cooperation and build a more stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.
Under the US plans, the Navy would maintain six aircraft carriers assigned to the Pacific.
Liu also said that freedom of navigation has never been affected by territorial disputes on the South China Sea. "Anyone with objectivity can see that the navigational freedom that every country can enjoy in accordance with international law has been fully guaranteed," said Liu.
"Disputes in the area should be resolved via negotiations and consultations between countries directly concerned. Hopefully, nations outside the area can respect the efforts of countries within the area to settle the disputes through bilateral negotiations, and avoid further involvement by any means," he said.
"At present, the grand trend and broad aspiration of the Asia-Pacific region is towards seeking peace, fostering cooperation and encouraging development," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.
"All sides should strive to preserve and promote regional peace, stability and development. The approach of artificially stressing military security, enhancing military deployments and strengthening military alliances is out of keeping with the times," Liu said.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the Pentagon would reposition its naval fleet so that 60 percent of its battleships would be in the Asia-Pacific by the end of the decade, up from about 50 percent now.
"The Asia-Pacific is the region where Chinese and US interests most overlap, and we welcome the United States to play a constructive role in the region," Liu said. "We also hope that the United States will respect the interests and concerns of all sides in the Asia-Pacific, including China."
Liu called on the United States to work together with countries in the region to seek common security through cooperation and build a more stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.
Under the US plans, the Navy would maintain six aircraft carriers assigned to the Pacific.
Liu also said that freedom of navigation has never been affected by territorial disputes on the South China Sea. "Anyone with objectivity can see that the navigational freedom that every country can enjoy in accordance with international law has been fully guaranteed," said Liu.
"Disputes in the area should be resolved via negotiations and consultations between countries directly concerned. Hopefully, nations outside the area can respect the efforts of countries within the area to settle the disputes through bilateral negotiations, and avoid further involvement by any means," he said.
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