Reclamation will continue, US told
Print Edition
CHINA has rejected US demands to stop reclamation work in the South China Sea, saying it was exercising its sovereignty and using the outposts to fulfil international responsibilities.
Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff department in the People’s Liberation Army, told a security summit in Singapore yesterday that “the situation in the South China Sea is on the whole peaceful and stable, and there has never been an issue with the freedom of navigation.”
He added: “China has carried out construction on some islands and reefs in the South China Sea mainly for the purpose of improving the functions of the relevant islands and reefs, and the working and living conditions of personnel stationed there.
“Apart from meeting the necessary defense needs, it is more geared to better perform China’s international responsibilities and obligations regarding maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and relief, maritime scientific research, meteorological observation, environmental protection, safety of navigation, fishery production, services,” he said.
“When dealing with maritime disputes with relevant neighboring countries, China has always kept in mind the larger interest of maritime security,” Sun told the Shangri-La Dialogue.
“In spite of sufficient historical and legal evidence and its indisputable claims, rights and interests, China has exercised enormous restraint, making positive contributions to peace and stability of the region and the world at large.”
US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Saturday demanded an immediate end to all reclamation work by claimants and said China was “out of step” with international norms with its behavior in disputed waters.
Carter said: “There should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants.”
He acknowledged that other claimants had developed outposts of differing scope and degree, including Vietnam with 48, the Philippines with eight and Malaysia with five.
Land reclamation work by China around disputed islands has led to speculation it will declare an Air Defense Identification Zone, which will require overflying aircraft to identify themselves to Chinese authorities.
China has accused the United States of provocative moves in the South China Sea, but Admiral Harry Harris, newly appointed chief of the US Pacific Command, told reporters his forces would continue to operate in the region “without limitation and in accordance with international law.”
But he also said he wanted increased military-to-military ties with China, including the US-led Rim of the Pacific joint naval exercises next year.
The summit, which ended yesterday, was earlier marred by a brief security lockdown after police shot dead a motorist who tried to flee a checkpoint in a car later found to contain drugs.
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