China Defence Minister Chang Wanquan says wants good ties with Southeast Asia

Noting concerns over the speedy building in the South-east Asian maritime hub over the past year, he cited how the newly built lighthouses on the Cuarteron Reef and Johnson South Reef in the Spratly archipelago would provide navigation assistance to ships of all countries.

The events kick off Friday with an informal meeting of defense ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations known as ASEAN – four of which exercise claims to seas and islands in the South China Sea that clash with Beijing’s own.

Indonesia’s Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu proposed joint “peace patrols” between China and ASEAN countries in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the gatherings, according to Jakarta’s state-run news agency Antara. And China has vowed to continue to do so in the future.

At the Xiangshan Forum on Saturday, Fan said China will never “recklessly” resort to the use of force – even when it comes to issues related to territory and sovereignty – and that the country has done its utmost to avoid unexpected conflicts with parties involved.

The Global Times – a massive Chinese tabloid controlled by the ruling Communist Party – has ramped up its rhetoric over USA intervention and Chinese action in the South China Sea.

China has overlapping claims with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei in the South China Sea, through which US$5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. If the situation escalates, China may dispatch planes to tail USA aircraft to decide if there is hostile intent.

UNCLOS gives each maritime nation the right to manage, explore and exploit features in areas within a 200-nautical mile limit from its coast.

China says it faces a threat from Islamist militants in its far western region of Xinjiang, who it says often use the Internet to spread propaganda, link up with groups outside of China and encourage attacks.

Tensions have mounted since China transformed reefs in the area – also claimed by several neighboring countries – into small islands capable of supporting military facilities, a move that the United States says threatens freedom of navigation. The USA was represented by its Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ash Carter while Australia was represented by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defense Minister Marise Payne.

“We’ve got our interests and China’s got its interests and sometimes they’ll differ; in many cases, they’re identical”, he said in the interview.

The U.S. Navy is reportedly preparing to conduct “freedom of navigation” operations, sending warships within 12 nautical miles of Chinese islands in the South China Sea.

On Thursday, Vietnam accused China of sinking one of its fishing boats near the disputed islands.

The editorial notes that Washington’s position “obviously contradicts” its previous statements claiming that it takes no stand over the territorial claims in the South China Sea.

China has offered to carry out joint naval drills with its rivals in the South China Sea, striking a conciliatory tone after Washington threatened to send vessels into the disputed waters.