East Asia summiteers clash over South China Sea

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday his country supported the USA freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, but added Japan’s self-defense forces wouldn’t participate in the patrols. “Building and maintaining necessary military facilities, this is what is required for China’s national defence and for the protection of those islands and reefs”, Mr Liu said.

“But one should never link such military facilities with efforts to militarize the islands and reefs and to militarize the South China Sea”, he said.

China has called on Southeast Asian countries to engage in direct talks over disputed South China Sea islands amid growing tensions in the region. Earlier this month, U.S. B-52 bombers flew near a few of the islands, signaling Washington’s determination to challenge Beijing’s claim.

Washington recently angered China by sending a warship within the 12-nautical-mile (22-kilometer, 13-statute-mile) territorial limit around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands archipelago (pictured above), where China and the Philippines have competing claims.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has proposed the integration of the “One Belt and One Road” initiative with the regional strategic plans of ASEAN countries.

China and the USA engaged in clash over the South China Sea at a yearly meeting of East Asia Summit (EAS) at the Malaysia this weekend. “It is a political provocation and the goal is to test China’s response”.

The issue has increasingly loomed over the regional diplomatic and security outlook, with China accused of upsetting the status quo by moving to enhance its presence in the South China Sea. But Beijing has rapidly reclaimed land and expanded the islets to build airports, runways and other constructions.

Mr. Aquino, whose term ends in June, stepped up his attack on China when the 10-nation Asean summit was expanded to include eight major powers-the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand and Russian Federation.

The task of ensuring safety in the key maritime route(sea-lane) in the South China Sea is doubtless in the interest not only of the countries bordering the South China Sea but also the worldwide community, including Japan and the United States.

He said out of the scores of islands, reefs and atolls in the vast sea, China has occupied only seven small islands and reefs in waters under its jurisdiction.

He was speaking at a press conference in the Malaysian capital Sunday on the outcome of the 27th Asean Summit 2015 and Related Summits.

The Philippines has been the most vocal opponent of China’s South China Sea claims, continually raising the issue at worldwide forums. Of the features, 42 have been illegally occupied by three of China’s neighbors.