China gives nod to Mattis’ diplomacy comments

Beijing noted on Monday that US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis emphasized the role of diplomacy in handling South China Sea disputes. The Pentagon chief, speaking in Tokyo on Saturday, played down any need for major US military moves in the region.

However, analysts said, countries outside the region, including the United States and Japan, are unlikely to reduce their interference in South China Sea issues.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang acknowledged at a news conference on Monday the relatively soft tone Mattis took on his first trip abroad.

China insists on handling maritime disputes through diplomatic channels between parties in the region directly, Lu said.

Mattis said, “There is no need right now at this time for military maneuvers or something like that, that would solve something that’s best solved by the diplomats.”

Analysts compared Mattis’ comments with those of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who said last month in his Senate confirmation hearing that China should not be allowed access to islands in the South China Sea.

Lu said that countries outside the region should respect the common interests and wishes of the nations in the South China Sea, which have agreed to handle disputes through dialogue.

Mattis, however, also said the US Navy would continue “freedom of navigation rights” operations in the South China Sea.

On Sunday, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada ruled out her country’s Self-Defense Forces participating in US military operations in the South China Sea.

“I told Secretary Mattis that Japan supports the US military’s freedom of navigation operation in the sea,” Inada said on a television program. “But the SDF will not be sent to the area.”

Mattis’ remarks supporting the use of diplomacy should be encouraged because “flexing military muscles will do no good” in resolving disputes, said Ruan Zongze, executive vicepresident of the China Institute of International Studies.

But he emphasized that the comments did not mean that the US will reduce its interference in South China Sea disputes. On the contrary, Washington is expected to increase its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

Shi Yinghong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China, said that given the hawkish remarks made by other senior officials of Trump’s administration, Mattis’ comments cannot be viewed as establishing the US strategic direction on the South China Sea.