MAY 14 (Reuters) — China on Wednesday (May 13) warned the United States not to take “risky and provocative” actions in the disputed South China Sea.
The comment came after a U.S. official said the Pentagon was considering sending its military aircraft and ships to assert freedom of navigation around rapidly growing Chinese-made artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter requested options that include sending aircraft and ships within 12 nautical miles (22 km) of reefs that China has been building up in the Spratlys island chain, the official said.
Such a move would directly challenge Chinese efforts to expand its influence in the maritime heart of Southeast Asia.
Carter’s request was first reported earlier on Tuesday (May 12) by the Wall Street Journal, which said one option was to fly Navy surveillance aircraft over the islands.
It quoted U.S. officials as saying there was now growing momentum within the Pentagon and the White House for taking concrete steps to send Beijing a signal that the recent build-up in the Spratlys had gone too far and needed to stop.
Asked about the Pentagon plan, China’s Foreign Ministry said that Beijing was “extremely concerned” and demanded U.S. clarification of the remarks.
“We are extremely concerned at the relevant remarks from the United States. We think the United States has to issue a clarification about this. China has always upheld freedom of navigation in the South China Sea but freedom of navigation certainly does not mean that foreign military ships and aircraft can enter other countries’ territorial waters or airspace at will. China will resolutely uphold its territorial sovereignty. We demand the relevant side talk and act cautiously and not take any actions that are risky or provocative to maintain regional peace and stability,” ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told media at a regular briefing.
Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year.
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims.
News of the possibly tougher U.S. stance came as a key pillar of President Barack Obama’s rebalanced to Asia in the face of China’s rising power suffered a major blow at the hands of Democrats in the U.S. Senate, who blocked debate on a bill that would have smoothed the path for a 12-nation pan-Pacific trade deal. (China)