China ‘ doesn’t fear trouble’ in sea

An Asian security summit ended in discord on Sunday after China denounced US “provocations” in the South China Sea and declared it does not fear trouble in the contested waters.

“The South China Sea issue has become overheated because of the provocations of certain countries for their own selfish interests,” Admiral Sun Jianguo told an annual forum in Singapore.

Admiral Sun Jianguo, who stressed China’s desire for a peaceful solution, spoke one day after US defence secretary Ashton Carter said any Chinese construction on an islet near the Philippines would prompt unspecified “actions” by the United States and other nations.

The Chinese admiral said the United States’ naval and air patrols in the sea were a display of “military muscles” and China was being forced to “accept and honour” the tribunal’s ruling.

“China firmly opposes such behaviour. We do not make trouble but we have no fear of trouble,” Admiral Sun Jianguo, the leader of the Chinese delegation in Singapore, said

We were not isolated in the past. We’re not isolated, and we will not be isolated in the future. I am worried some people and countries are still looking at China with a Cold War mentality and prejudice.

— SUN JIANGUO, Chinese Admiral

in prepared remarks. US defence secretary Ashton Carter had left Singapore by the time Admiral Sun Jianguo made his speech.

He also took exception to Mr Carter’s statement on Saturday that Beijing risks building a “Great Wall of self- isolation” with its military expansion.

“We were not isolated in the past. We’re not isolated, and we will not be isolated in the future. Actually I am worried some people and countries are still looking at China with a Cold War mentality and prejudice,” the Chinese admiral said in response to questions from other delegates.