United States Defense Secretary and Pentagon chief Jim Mattis on Saturday criticized China’s actions in the South China Sea, particularly its construction activities and excessive maritime claims, saying Beijing showed “contempt” for other nations’ interests.
“The scope and effect of China’s construction activities in the South China Sea differ from those of other countries in several key ways,” Mattis told the Shangri-La regional defense summit in Singapore.
“This includes the nature of its militarization… China’s disregard for international law … (and) its contempt for other nations’ interests.”
Mattis’ remarks come as China builds up a series of artificial islands on shoals and reefs in contested waters in the South China Sea, which has sparked broad concern among its neighbors.
The US defense chief hit China for enforcing what he said was “excessive maritime claims” which were “unsupported by international law.”
“We oppose countries militarizing artificial islands, and enforcing excessive maritime claims, unsupported by international law. We cannot and will not accept unilateral changes to the status quo. We will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, and demonstrate resolve and operational presence in the South China Sea and beyond.”
He urged regional nations to seek solutions through mediation.
“We are going to have to work together,” Mattis said.
“I don’t think there’s room right now to pushing adversarial approaches,” he added.
(Agence France-Presse, Reuters)
