US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday voiced concern to China over its land reclamation in the South China Sea and the “militarization” of disputed waters.
Kerry raised the issues during a meeting with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) on the sidelines of a regional diplomatic gathering in Malaysia that has been dominated by tensions over China’s moves to shore up its territorial claims.
“Secretary Kerry reiterated his concern about rising tensions over disputed claims in the South China Sea and China’s large-scale reclamation, construction and militarization of features there,” a senior US Department of State official told reporters. “He encouraged China, along with the other claimants, to halt problematic actions in order to create space for diplomacy.”
Photo: Reuters
China has sparked alarm in the region by expanding tiny reefs in the flashpoint sea and constructing military posts on them.
The US and Southeast Asian nations have called for a halt to such activities, but China has refused.
A day earlier, Southeast Asian foreign ministers after meeting in Kuala Lumpur said that China’s moves were raising regional tensions, with the Philippines slamming Beijing’s “unilateral and aggressive activities.”
The annual gathering is hosted by the 10-member ASEAN, and includes nations from across Asia, the US, Russia and elsewhere. It is scheduled to conclude today.
Beijing claims control over nearly the entire South China Sea, a key shipping route thought to hold rich oil and gas reserves.
Alongside Taiwan, ASEAN members Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei all have various claims to the South China Sea.
China’s neighbors have increasingly chafed at what is seen as mounting violations by Beijing of a regional pledge not to take actions that could stoke conflict.
Before their meeting, Kerry said he and Wang were to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including plans for a US visit next month by Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and China’s “great cooperation” on the recent Iran nuclear deal.
In a meeting yesterday with ASEAN foreign ministers, Kerry said Washington shared their desire “to preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
He talked of the need to maintain the security of sea lanes and fishing areas, and to settled disputes peacefully.
Beijing has insisted it would not discuss the South China Sea during formal meetings at the forum, saying disagreements must be handled on a bilateral basis between rival claimants.
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