The vice foreign ministers of Japan, South Korea and the United States (U.S) urged China on Thursday (April 16) to adhere to international law and cease its development of island strips in the South China Sea for the apparent purpose of establishing its footprint in the region.
“What, I think we all agree on, is the need to pursue any claims that countries have with strict adherence and respect for the rule of law, for the norms and standards that have been established to work through these–, these kind of claims, and not to take unilateral actions,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said following three-way talks with his Japanese and South Korea counterparts.
IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly reported on Thursday that recent satellite images show China has begun building its first airstrip in contested territory in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea and may be working on another. The satellite images provided by Airbus Defence and Space, taken on March 23, showed construction work on reclaimed parts of Fiery Cross Reef in the archipelago — a territory which China contests with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
It said images from earlier in March also showed reclamation work on Subu Reef in the Spratlys creating landmasses that, if joined together, could create enough space for another 3,000 meter (3281 yards) airstrip.
The report said satellite imagery suggested China was also working to extend another airstrip to that length in the Paracel Islands further north in the South China Sea.
Akitaka Saiki, the Japanese Vice Foreign Minister, said Japan had an obligation under international law to respect the concerns of its neighbors in southeast Asia.
“I think China has a responsibility to address properly to the concerns which are being shared by the members of the region,” he said.
South Korea’s vice foreign minister, Cho Tae-yong, said that agreements between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) obligate Beijing to observe a code of conduct in promoting its claim to islands reefs in the South China Sea.
“We have to take advantage of the existing framework, that Declaration of Conduct between China and ASEAN countries. So, we will have to take advantage of that framework so we can preserve the freedom of navigation,” Cho said. (Reuters)
