Using unusually strong language, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told an Asia-Pacific security forum that the United States was committed to its geopolitical rebalance to the region and "will not look the other way when fundamental principles of the international order are being challenged".
"In recent months, China has undertaken destabilising, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea," he said in the speech to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Hagel said the United States took no position on the merits of rival territorial claims in the region, but added: "We firmly oppose any nation’s use of intimidation, coercion, or the threat of force to assert these claims."
On Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the same forum that Tokyo would offer its "utmost support" to Southeast Asian countries in their efforts to protect their seas and airspace, as he pitched his plan for Japan to take on a bigger international security role.
In a pointed dig at China, he said Japan would provide coast guard patrol boats to the Philippines and Vietnam, both of which have complained of Beijing's aggression in disputed areas of the oil- and gas-rich South China Sea.
Abe also explained his controversial push to ease restrictions of the post-war, pacifist constitution that has kept Japan's military from fighting overseas since World War Two.
"Japan intends to play an even greater and more proactive role than it has until now in making peace in Asia and the world something more certain," Abe said.
Japan has its own territorial row with China over islands in the sea between them.
China has said Abe's government is using the islands dispute as an excuse to revive its military.
"He has made it into a bigger issue - that is China as a country is posing a threat to Japan as a country," Fu Ying, Beijing's chief delegate to the forum, said on Friday.
"He has made such a myth. And then with that as an excuse, (he is) trying to amend the security policy of Japan, that is what is worrying for the region and for China."......[todayonline.com]
31/5/14
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Chuck Hagel: Beijing 'destabilising' South China Sea...
ReplyDeleteThe US defence secretary has accused China of "destabilising" the South China Sea, saying its action threatened the region's long-term progress.
Chuck Hagel said the US would "not look the other way" when nations ignored international rules.
Mr Hagel was speaking at a three-day summit - the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore - that involves the US and South-East Asian countries.
He also urged Thailand's coup leaders to restore democratic rule soon.
The forum comes amid growing tensions between China, Vietnam and the Philippines, with Japan-China ties also strained over disputed islands in the East China Sea.
The summit gives senior delegates from the region a chance to meet face-to-face to try to resolve tensions.
'No to intimidation'
"In recent months, China has undertaken destabilising, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea," Mr Hagel said in his address on Saturday.
"We firmly oppose any nation's use of intimidation, coercion, or the threat of force to assert these claims," he added, referring to the way China has claimed territorial rights over areas of the South China Sea close to Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam.............http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27646223
31/5/14