China claims nearly the entire 3.5-million square kilometer South China Sea, by virtue of what it sees as its historical rights within the so-called nine-dash line. Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei also claims parts of the region.
In congressional testimony Wednesday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Danny Russel said any use of the nine-dash line to claim maritime rights must be based on land features, such as a nation's coastline or its islands.
"Any Chinese claim to maritime rights not based on claimed land features would be inconsistent with international law. China could highlight its respect for international law by clarifying or adjusting its claim to bring it into accordance with international law of the sea," said Russel.
Russel also said that there were "growing concerns" that China is trying to gradually assert control over the area, despite objections by its neighbors. He cited several Chinese actions that recently have "raised tensions."
"This includes continued restrictions on access to the Scarborough reef, pressure on the longstanding Philippine presence at the Second Thomas Shoal and the recent updating of fishing regulations covering disputed areas in the South China Sea. Our view is that these actions have raised tensions in the region and have exacerbated concerns about China's long term strategic objectives," said Russel.
Russel also raised fresh U.S. concerns over China's activities in the East China Sea, where Beijing recently set up an Air Defense Identification Zone in an area also claimed by Japan.
He called the move a "step in the wrong direction," and warned China against setting up a so-called ADIZs elsewhere.
"We neither recognize nor accept China's declared ADIZ. The United States has no intention of changing how we conduct our operations in the region. And we've made clear to China that it shouldn't attempt to implement that ADIZ and should refrain from taking similar actions elsewhere in the region," said Russel.
Russel said he was also concerned about the "serious downturn" in relations between Japan and China. He said neither Beijing, Tokyo, nor the global economy could afford an unintended clash between the two countries.
He also said he supports Japan's call for diplomacy and crisis management procedures to help avoid a conflict.
The U.S. has said it does not take a position on any of the individual maritime disputes, but is only interested in helping find peaceful resolutions and ensuring freedom of navigation and commerce.
China has also said it is seeking a peaceful resolution, but has rejected attempts to solve the disputes in multilateral forums, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It instead prefers to deal individually with each nation, giving it a strategic advantage.
Beijing is also skeptical of the Obama administration's so-called military and economic "rebalancing" toward the Asia-Pacific, viewing the policy as an attempt to contain its rise.
http://www.voanews.com/content/us-official-to-china-clarify-or-adjust-south-china-sea-claims/1845502.html
5/2/14
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- Maritime Disputes in East Asia. -Daniel R. Russel (Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs)
Testimony Before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
video: http://bcove.me/415ripx1
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Chairman Chabot, Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today on these important issues.
Before I begin, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you, Chairman Chabot, for your leadership on this issue and for your work to enhance our engagement with the Asia-Pacific region. This Subcommittee has contributed to the rich bipartisan tradition of engaging the Asia-Pacific and advancing U.S. interests there.
The Members of this Subcommittee know well the importance of the Asia-Pacific region to American interests. The broader region boasts over half the world’s population, half of the world’s GDP, and nearly half of the world’s trade, and is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world. More and more American citizens are now living, working, and studying in this part of the world and people-to-people and family ties between Americans and the peoples of the Asia-Pacific have witnessed tremendous growth. Growing numbers of American companies are investing in and exporting their products and services to rapidly expanding East Asian markets. Asia-Pacific businesses are increasing their profiles in the United States and creating jobs for American workers. And, as the region’s economies continue to grow and their interests expand, it becomes increasingly important that the governments and institutions there contribute to upholding and strengthening international law and standards – ranging from human rights to environmental protection to responsible policies on climate change, maritime security, and trade and investment. The effects of what happens in the Asia-Pacific Region will be felt across the globe and have direct implications for America’s interests.
It is precisely with this in mind that this administration has for the past five years made sustained engagement in the Asia-Pacific a strategic priority. This is precisely why Secretary Kerry is about to make his fifth visit to Asia in ten months and why he has devoted so much time and effort to meeting, calling and consulting with his Asian counterparts.
We have a strong stake in the continuing economic growth of this region, and we are working to ensure that Americans can fully participate in that growth and share in that prosperity. We are negotiating high-standard trade and investment agreements that will unlock the dynamism of Pacific Rim economies for mutual benefit. We are bolstering regional cooperation on transnational issues through ASEAN and its related institutions. And we are helping countries manage complex environmental issues resulting from rapid development. The common thread running through our strategic rebalancing is a determination to ensure that the Asia-Pacific remains an open, inclusive, and prosperous region guided by widely accepted rules and standards and a respect for international law.
Since the end of the Second World War, a maritime regime based on international law that promotes freedom of navigation and lawful uses of the sea has facilitated Asia’s impressive economic growth. The United States, through our our alliances, our security partnerships and our overall military presence and posture, has been instrumental in sustaining that maritime regime and providing the security that has enabled the countries in the region to prosper. As a maritime nation with global trading networks, the United States has a national interest in freedom of the seas and in unimpeded lawful commerce. From President Thomas Jefferson’s actions against the Barbary pirates to President Reagan’s decision that the United States will abide by the Law of the Sea Convention’s provisions on navigation and other traditional uses of the ocean, American foreign policy has long defended the freedom of the seas. And as we consistently state, we have a national interest in the maintenance of peace and stability; respect for international law; unimpeded lawful commerce; and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East China and South China Seas.
For all these reasons, the tensions arising from maritime and territorial disputes in the Asia-Pacific are of deep concern to us and to our allies. Both the South China and East China Seas are vital thoroughfares for global commerce and energy. Well over half the world’s merchant tonnage flows through the South China Sea, and over 15 million barrels of oil per day transited the Strait of Malacca last year, with most of it continuing onward through the East China Sea to three of the world’s largest economies – Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China. A simple miscalculation or incident could touch off an escalatory cycle. Confrontations between fishermen and even law enforcement patrols are not unusual in these waters. But the frequency and assertiveness of some countries’ patrols are increasing. In addition, the imposition of competing regulations by different countries over disputed territory and associated maritime areas and airspace is raising tensions and increasing the risk of confrontation. We witnessed a tragic incident in May of last year, when a Philippine Coast Guard patrol shot and killed a fisherman from Taiwan. Both sides, to their credit, took steps to prevent an escalation of tensions. But the risk of confrontation could have very serious adverse consequences for all of our economic and security interests.
Accordingly, we have consistently emphasized in our diplomacy in the region as well as in our public messaging the importance of exercising restraint, maintaining open channels of dialogue, lowering rhetoric, behaving safely and responsibly in the sky and at sea, and peacefully resolving territorial and maritime disputes in accordance with international law. We are working to help put in place diplomatic and other structures to lower tensions and manage these disputes peacefully. We have sought to prevent provocative or unilateral actions that disrupt the status quo or jeopardize peace and security. When such actions have occurred, we have spoken out clearly and, where appropriate, taken action. In an effort to build consensus and capabilities in support of these principles, the administration has invested considerably in the development of regional institutions and bodies such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, the East Asia Summit, and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum. These forums, as they continue to develop, play an important role in reinforcing international law and practice and building practical cooperation among member states.......................http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2014/02/221293.htm
5/2/14
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L'expansion chinoise comparée à l'Allemagne nazie par les Philippines....
ReplyDeleteLes dirigeants chinois et japonais, Xi Jinping et Shinzo Abe, seront tous les deux présents à Sotchi - mais il ne faut pas s'attendre à ce qu'ils conviennent d'assouplir leurs revendications territoriales lors de cet événement sportif, écrit vendredi le quotidien Nezavissimaïa gazeta.
Au contraire, la polémique entre Tokyo et Pékin s'est durcie et le président philippin Benigno Aquino a même jeté de l'huile sur le feu en comparant l'expansion maritime de la Chine aux manœuvres de l'Allemagne nazie. Tokyo est offensé, mais les Etats-Unis prennent le parti de leurs alliés en Asie.
Xi Jinping et Shinzo Abe ont-ils une chance de se rencontrer à Sotchi ? La question mérite d’être posée à l’heure où le litige entre les deux puissances autour des îles Senkaku (Diaoyu) en mer de Chine orientale s'aggrave de plus en plus.
La Chine envoie constamment ses navires de garde côtière vers ces îles. Elle a également établi une zone d'identification des avions pour assurer la défense antiaérienne de la zone contestée.........................http://fr.ria.ru/presse_russe/20140207/200407855.html
7/2/14
China: US Remarks About Territorial Claims are Irresponsible....
ReplyDeleteHONG KONG — China says that remarks made earlier this week by a U.S. top official about its maritime disputes are groundless and irresponsible. East Asia envoy Daniel Russel had raised concerns about China's assertive stance with its neighbors and questioned the legality of China's territorial claims.
China’s claims to maritime territory in the East and South China Seas have raised tensions with its neighbors, in particular Japan and the Philippines.
This week U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, Daniel Russel, told a Congressional hearing in Washington that China is increasingly assertive in trying to gain control over oceans in the region.
On Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Russel's remarks were unfounded.
He says it is extremely irresponsible of the relevant U.S. official to make groundless accusations against China based on rumors and without checking the facts................http://www.voanews.com/content/china-says-us-remarks-about-territorial-claims-are-irresponsible/1846476.html
7/2/14
Remarks With Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida After Their Meeting. State Department....
ReplyDeleteSECRETARY KERRY: I’m really delighted to welcome my friend, Foreign Minister Kishida, back to the State Department this afternoon and to return the favor after Fumio hosted Secretary Hagel and me last October in Tokyo when we had our meetings of Defense and State Department jointly in what we call the 2+2.
The United States and Japan relationship has really long been the cornerstone of the regional peace and security of that region, and it’s also a cornerstone of President Obama’s Asia rebalance. And I share the President’s goal for a stronger renewed presence throughout the Asia Pacific. The President and I share the belief that we simply cannot achieve the goals that we want to achieve in that region and globally without ironclad guarantees between the United States and Japan, between our governments, and just as importantly, between our peoples.
Last fall when Secretary Hagel and I traveled to Tokyo to meet with our Japanese counterparts, we agreed to update our bilateral defense guidelines, which, it is worth noting, had not been done since 1997. Today, Fumio and I had the opportunity to continue discussing how we will modernize our security alliance and set out a roadmap for decades to come. This process will help us continue to respond quickly to natural disasters the way that our nations delivered aid to the Philippines very soon after the Haiyan typhoon hit. And closer security collaboration will also help our nations to continue countering the threat from North Korea, and to address our regional security challenges.
This morning, I also underscored that the United States remains as committed as ever to upholding our treaty obligations with our Japanese allies. That includes with respect to the South China Sea – the East China Sea. The United States neither recognizes nor accepts China’s declared East China Sea ADIZ, and the United States has no intention of changing how we conduct operations in the region. We are deeply committed to maintaining the prosperity and the stability in the Asia Pacific, and that won’t be possible without respect for international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight as set out in the international Law of the Sea............................http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2014/02/221459.htm
7/2/14
Kerry to push China for restraint in its regional maritime disputes...
ReplyDeleteWASHINGTON — The United States fired a shot across China’s bow a week ago by taking a tougher stance on maritime disputes in East Asia, a message Secretary of State John Kerry will amplify in Beijing this week.
The high tensions in Asia over Beijing’s territorial claims in the East China and South China seas will be near the top of Mr Kerry’s agenda when he meets senior Chinese officials on Friday. He will also discuss North Korea and climate change.
His top aide for East Asian and Pacific affairs, Assistant Secretary of State Danny Russel, drew a harder line last week on a series of maritime rows between China and its neighbours.
“It (Mr Russel’s testimony) certainly indicates a sharper tack in terms of the concerns we have and the steps we want China to take on maritime disputes,” said a senior State Department official.
“Secretary Kerry will continue to press the Chinese to refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric and caution against the provocative nature of some of China’s actions.”.............http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/kerry-push-china-restraint-its-regional-maritime-disputes
13/2/14