China Paper Warns US of ‘Price’ to Pay in South China Sea

Speaking by telephone early yesterday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Mr Kerry that the USA should stick to its promise not to take sides in the dispute, China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

United States naval officials confirmed that United States destroyers have been patrolling close to Chinese-held islands and reefs in the hotly contested South China Sea these past few weeks – acts that are likely to further tensions ahead of the upcoming ruling regarding Beijing’s maritime claims, Reuters reports.

In the call initiated by Kerry, Wang “urged the United States to honor its commitment to not to take sides on issues related to sovereign disputes, to be prudent with its actions and words, and not to take any actions that infringe upon the sovereignty and security interests of China”, Xinhua said.

As the United Nations tribunal on the South China Sea dispute is set to deliver its verdict next week, China which boycotted its proceedings flexed muscles with military exercises and calls by its official media to be ready for military confrontation with USA, while unleashing a global campaign to discredit the judgement.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague is set to release its final decision Tuesday on the case, which was brought by the Philippines challenging China’s position.

Beijing claims almost all of the strategically vital South China Sea which is also claimed in part by Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

HONG KONG – US destroyers had sailed close to Chinese-held reefs and islands in the disputed South China Sea in recent weeks, US naval officials said on Thursday.

China remains committed to peacefully resolving the disputes through negotiations and consultations directly with the parties involved, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of global law and worldwide relations, Wang said. The goal of peacefully settling disputes should not be changed.

The United States Navy has quietly been patrolling the waters around Chinese man-made islands in the South China Sea, the Navy Times reports.

The RIC (Russia-India-China) foreign ministers had agreed that all maritime disputes, including the South China Sea controversy, should be addressed “through negotiations and agreements between the parties concerned”.

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is now patrolling the sea. “China does not accept any proposal or action by any country based on the ruling”.

Even with China participating in the Rim of the Pacific exercise organized by the U.S.in Hawaii and parts of Southern California, China remains firm regarding its stance regarding the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

“I hear The arbitration ruling will come out soon, and so be it”.