China’s ‘Sea’ actions coercive, says Mattis
Equal access: Modi
SINGAPORE, June 2, (Agencies): The United States is willing to work with China on a “results-oriented” relationship, but Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea were coercive and the Pentagon would “compete vigorously” if needed, US Defense Secretary Jim
Mattis said on Saturday. The comments by Mattis, speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, come at a time of increased tension between the two nations in the South China Sea and highlight how President Donald Trump’s administration is looking to balance China’s cooperation on North Korea while dealing with its activities in the disputed sea.
“China’s policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness that our strategy promotes, it calls into question China’s broader goals,” said Mattis, who said he would be travelling to Beijing this month.
“The US will continue to pursue a constructive, resultsoriented relationship with China, cooperation whenever possible will be the name of the game and competing vigorously where we must ... of course we recognise any sustainable Indo-Pacific order has a role for China,” he said.
Last month, China’s air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise, triggering concern from Vietnam and the Philippines.
Satellite photographs taken on May 12 showed China appeared to have deployed truck-mounted surfaceto-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles at Woody Island in the disputed sea.
“Despite China’s claims to the contrary, the placement of these weapon systems is tied directly to military use for the purposes of intimidation and coercion,” Mattis said.
Reuters first reported that two US Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday.
While the operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it came at a particularly sensitive time and just days after the Pentagon withdrew an invitation to China for a major US-hosted naval drill.
China’s state-run Global Times newspaper said in an editorial tension in the South China Sea was “due to the US continuing to increase its military presence in the region, forcing China to naturally upgrade its defensive weapons on the islands.”
“This in turn gives the US more excuses to exert military pressure, causing regional tensions to spiral,” it said.
Mattis acknowledged that China’s militarisation of islands was a reality but warned of further consequences.
“I believe there are much larger consequences in the future when nations lose the rapport of their neighbours ... eventually these (actions) do not pay off,” Mattis said.
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SINGAPORE: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Friday for countries to have “equal access” to shared maritime and air spaces, and for regional disputes to be settled under international law.
In a speech at the start of a security summit in Singapore, Modi described his vision of nations across the Asia-Pacific region forging closer security and economic ties.
Although Modi did not single Beijing out for direct criticism, he referred to China’s military buildup in the South China Sea and its sweeping territorial claims across the strategic waterway.
“We should all have equal access, as a right under international law, to the use of common spaces on the sea and in the air,” Modi told the Shangri-La Dialogue.
“That would require freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law. When we all agree to live by that code, our sea lanes will be pathways to prosperity and corridors of peace.”
India and its regional role are taking centre stage at this year’s summit as nations look to counter China’s inexorable military rise, and as Washington puts new emphasis on its military ties to New Delhi and the increasing importance of the Indian Ocean in US strategic thinking.
The Pentagon is renaming its oldest and largest military command to reflect India’s growing significance. From now on, the storied US Pacific Command, or PACOM, will be known as the Indo-Pacific Command.