Beijing seeks ‘positive energy’ in S. China Sea

China urges countries outside of the South China Sea region to stop stirring threats of war and tension in the region, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

Ren Guoqiang, 47, who debuted as the ministry’s spokesman at its first news conference of the year, said China was monitoring the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group, which entered the South China Sea on Saturday.

It was the first patrol by a US carrier in the region since US President Donald Trump took office.

“We hope the US can sincerely respect the sovereignty and security interests of countries in the region, as well as the efforts they have made toward regional peace and stability,” Ren said. “We will also respect other nations’ freedom of passage and flight through the region so long as they adhere to international law.”

The situation in the South China Sea is becoming peaceful and stable, Ren said. “Countries outside of the region shouldn’t purposefully stir threats of war or tension, but should inject positive energy into this good development.”

As for China-US ties, “a healthy Sino-US military relation adheres to the basic interests of the two nations’ people, as well as being beneficial for peace and security in the AsiaPacific region and the world,” he said. “It needs China and the US to jointly maintain it. We hope both sides can work together, strengthen communication, avoid misunderstandings and push forward military relations on the right track.”

Liang Fang, a professor at National Defense University of the People’s Liberation Army, said China should “calmly observe and respond carefully” to the situation.