China rejects US criticism of sea reclamations
SINGAPORE (AFP) — China rejected yesterday US demands to stop its intensifying reclamation works in the South China Sea, saying it was exercising its sovereignty while helping the rest of the world.
Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff department in the People’s Liberation Army, told a security summit in Singapore that “the
situation in the South China Sea is on the whole peaceful and stable, and there has never been an issue with the freedom of navigation.”
“China has carried out construction on some islands and reefs in the South China Sea
mainly for the purpose of improving the functions of the relevant islands and reefs, and the working and living conditions of personnel stationed there.
“Apart from meeting the necessary defence needs, it is more geared to better perform China’s international responsibilities and obligations regarding maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and relief, maritime scientific research, meteorological observation, environmental protection, safety of navigation, fishery production, services,” he added.
China insists it has sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, a major global shipping route believed to be home to oil and gas reserves, but rival claimants accuse it of expansionism.
“When dealing with maritime disputes with relevant neighbouring countries, China has always kept in mind the larger interest of maritime security,” Sun told the annual meeting known as the Shangri-La Dialogue.
“In spite of the sufficient historical and legal evidence and its indisputable claims, rights and interests, China has exercised enormous restraint, making positive contributions to peace and stability of the region and the world at large.”
Beijing ‘out of step’ – Carter Sun was speaking a day after US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter demanded an immediate end to all reclamation works by claimants and said Beijing was “out of step” with international norms with its behaviour in disputed waters.
Carter said “there should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants,” adding that “we also oppose any further militarisation of disputed features.”
He acknowledged that other claimants have developed outposts of differing scope and degree, including Vietnam with 48, the Philippines with eight, Malaysia with five and Taiwan with one.
“Yet, one country has gone much farther and much faster than any other.
“China has reclaimed over 2,000 acres, more than all other claimants combined and more than in the entire history of the region. And China did so in only the last 18 months,” Carter said.
Beijing has accused Washington of carrying out provocative moves in the South China Sea.
Representatives from claimant countries as well others from Southeast Asia and Europe urged restraint on all parties in handling the dispute.
Singapore, EU for COC Other delegates, including Singapore’s defense chief Ng Eng Hen, his British counterpart Michael Fallon, and the European Union’s foreign relations chief Federica Mogherini repeated calls by Carter for China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to adopt a “code of conduct” or “COC” in the disputed waters as soon as possible.
The Singapore summit, which ended on Sunday afternoon, was earlier in the day marred by a brief security lockdown after police shot dead a local motorist who tried to flee a checkpoint near the event venue in a car later found to contain drugs.
After the shooting, police officers initially told people attending the summit that the hotel was on complete lockdown, with no entry allowed. Roads and pathways leading up to the hotel, located in Singapore’s leafy diplomatic quarter, were shut off with barricade tape.
But access to the venue was gradually eased on Sunday morning. The conference proceeded normally until it ended at midday.
China’s ADIZ China said it will take a decision on establishing an air defense identification zone around disputed waters in the South China Sea based on its assessment of the security situation.
Land reclamation work by China around disputed islands has led to speculation it will declare an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which will require overflying aircraft to identify themselves to Chinese authorities.
Admiral Sun Jianguo told the same forum in Singapore that China’s actions are peaceful and legitimate, calling on other countries to stop trying to “sow discord” over the matter.
“There is no reason for people to play up this issue in the South China Sea,” Sun said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, adding that an ADIZ depends on any threats to air or maritime security.
PH calls for moratorium
Malacañang has called anew for a moratorium of activities that escalate tension in the South China Sea in the wake of reports that China has increased military buildup in the disputed territory.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said they have yet to verify the latest action of China but highlighted the Triple Action Plan (TAP) presented by the Philippines to reduce the tension and create an atmosphere that would lead to the peaceful resolution of the territorial dispute.
The action plan, Coloma said, includes cessation of activities that escalate tension, creation of a binding code of conduct governing actions of parties in the South China Sea, and the settlement of disputes through an arbitration case.
“In general, the reclamation activities have raised alarm from many countries due to the belief that such activities create tension in the region. That’s why in August 2014, the Philippines presented its triple action plan during the ASEAN summit in Myanmar,” Coloma said over government radio.
“The plan calls for a moratorium of activities in the maritime entitle in South China Sea. Even maintenance activities in Pag-asa Island that has long been occupied by the Philippines have already been stopped to meet the call for a moratorium. The Department of Foreign Affairs said this shows the integrity of our position or the high moral ground,” he added.
The United States has reportedly detected that China has deployed mobile artillery weapons system on a reclaimed island in the South China Sea.
Carter has already called for an immediate and lasting halt to the China’s reclamation projects after surveillance showed increased military buildup in the area.
Coloma, meantime, said the country will continue to push for the full implementation of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as well as the crafting of a legally binding code governing the actions of parties in the contested area. He said this was based on the principle of ASEAN central that must be decided upon by the regional bloc and China. (With a report from Genalyn D. Kabiling)