Beijing denies island building ‘militarizes’ South China Sea

At AUSMIN this week, US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter made perhaps a few of his strongest remarks on the subject: “Make no mistake, the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever worldwide law allows, as we do around the world, and the South China Sea will not be an exception”.

An editorial in the Global Times, which is close to China’s ruling Communist party, condemned Washington’s “ceaseless provocations and coercion”.

This is after U.S. and Australian defense, state and foreign affairs secretaries said that China should live up with its commitment of not militarizing the Spratly Islands and defuse tensions associated with its land reclamation program.

“China mustn’t tolerate rampant United States violations of China’s adjacent waters and the skies over those expanding islands”, it said, adding that its military should “be ready to launch countermeasures according to Washington’s level of provocation”.

Beijing warned Thursday (Oct 15) that it would “firmly oppose” infringement of its sovereignty after indications Washington will soon send warships close to its artificial islands in the South China Sea. Much of the trade through the sea is oil for the power-hungry Chinese economy, which makes control over it vital for Beijing.

Satellite images of the islands published by a Washington-based think tank show runways that could be used by air force jets.

“We hope the USA can look upon the current situation of the South China Sea from an objective and fair perspective and play a constructive role together with China in keeping the peace and stability in the South China Sea”, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Recent reports suggest the USA military could within week’s sail warships inside the 22-kilometer zones of the artificial islands Beijing says are a legitimate extension of its territory.

As the territorial claims have continuously been noticed as a serious legal dispute between several countries including China, Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam, Bishop noted that it is best to act carefully to avoid complications.

Building necessary military facilities does not mean the region is being militarized, and it’s understandable that China is deploying a few military facilities for self-defense purposes because a few countries have flexed their muscles in the South China Sea region, she added.

In this regard, it said, they reiterated the importance of an expeditious conclusion on a Code of Conduct and full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Hoang said more than 20 Vietnamese fishing boats had been attacked by Chinese vessels this year.

Vietnam has repeatedly accused China of ramming the craft as they ply local waters.