USA TODAY International Edition
China balks at ‘ militarization’ of South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA China broke its silence and defended its expansion in the South China Sea on Sunday, as President Obama headed home after a six- day Asian trip that he used repeatedly to criticize China’s military expansion in the region.
After failing to respond to Oba- ma’s comments on the subject, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin defended China’s construction projects on the sea as a “public service” to protect reefs and islands and to personnel stationed on the islands for the benefit of other countries using the waters.
“One should never link the military facilities with efforts to militarize the South China Sea,” Liu told reporters. “This is a false argument. It is a consistent Chinese position to firmly oppose the militarization of the South China Sea.” He also warned other countries not to “stir up trouble” in the disputed waters.
China’s assertiveness in the sea has been a source of growing ten- sion. China claims most of the sea, which is rich in energy and fish and is a vital global shipping lane. China also has been creating new islands and constructing mil- itary facilities and ports.
The U. S. recently asserted freedom of navigation in the waters. Last month, the USS Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of disputed Subi Reef, while two Air Force B- 52 bombers recently flew in international airspace within 15 nautical miles of one of the Spratly Islands that China claims as its own. Obama raised the issue a final time Sunday before departing for Washington.