Reaching across the aisle, two Republican Senators – John McCain and Bob Corker – have teamed up with two Democrats – Jack Reed and Bob Menendez – to draft a letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry and US Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
Composed Thursday, the letter addresses the need to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter China’s land reclamation attempts in the South China Sea. Without such a plan, "long-standing interests of the United States, as well as our allies and partners, stand at considerable risk."
The letter makes specific mention of Gaven Reef. Located within the strategically located Spratly Island group, the reef has seen significant development, with the Chinese government constructing artificial islands, as well as digging new maritime channels.
A second installation is also mentioned by name. Johnson Reef, located in the same island group, was once an entirely submerged formation, but has since been built into a 25-acre artificial landmass.
"While other states have built on existing land masses, China is changing the size, structure, and physical attributes of land features themselves," the letter said. "This is a qualitative change that appears designed to alter the status quo in the South China Sea."
The Senators expressed their concern that any of these reefs could be militarized and used to establish a new air defense zone. This fear stems from Beijing’s 2013 creation of an air defense identification zone (AIDZ) in the East China Sea. That announcement was followed by an outcry from both the US and Japan.
Still, while decrying a Chinese military presence, the United States has long maintained its bases in both Japan and the Philippines. Last month, the US Navy began flying some its most advanced spy planes, the P-8A Poseidon, out of its bases in the Philippines. This was viewed largely as a signal to Beijing.
The letter called for a strategy to establish "specific actions the United States can take to slow down or stop China’s reclamation activities…"
"We have a right to do this," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in response to the Senator’s letter.........................Read more: http://sputniknews.com/us/20150320/1019798077.html#ixzz3UxDwBO2g
20/3/15
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China says island, reef construction in South China Sea lawful, justified
China releases position paper on jurisdiction in South China Sea
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China's People's Liberation Army Navy announced that the revised US maritime strategy for the Asia-Pacific region is a desire to dominate in the region...
ReplyDeleteChina's military criticized the revised US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard maritime strategy on Friday, calling it a desire to dominate in the Asia-Pacific region.
"The new marine strategy is also a strategy to ask for military budget and a strategy to exaggerate the China Threat," Senior Colonel Du Wenlong, an official told CCTV......http://sputniknews.com/asia/20150320/1019799075.html#ixzz3UxJ7ppNH
20/3/15
China on Friday rebuked a US navy officer over his suggestions that the Southeast Asian nations should jointly build a maritime force to patrol areas of contested sovereignty in the South China Sea and that his fleet would provide support...
ReplyDelete"We hope the United States will strictly honor its commitment of not taking positions or sides on territorial sovereignty issues," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei in response to the reported remarks by Robert Thomas, commander of the US Navy's Seventh Fleet.
Hong said Thomas' remarks "will by no means help resolve the South China Sea disputes properly or contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea".
He said that it is China's long-standing commitment to resolve the disputes in the South China Sea through negotiations and consultations with the countries directly concerned.
According to the spokesperson, China and the ASEAN have proposed a joint initiative in which they will safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea independently of other nations.
He urged the US side not to make irresponsible remarks any longer and instead do more that are conducive to boosting mutual trust and regional peace and stability.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/913207.shtml
20/3/15
Indonesian president says China's main claim in South China Sea has no legal basis...
ReplyDeleteIndonesian President Joko Widodo says one of China's main claims to the majority of the South China Sea has no legal basis in international law, but Jakarta wants to remain an "honest broker" in one of Asia's most sensitive territorial dispute.
Widodo's comments in an interview with a major Japanese newspaper come as he embarks on a visit to Japan and China and is the first time he has taken a position on the issue since coming to power in October.
China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan lay claim to parts of the sea, where about $5 trillion of ship-borne trade passes every year..................http://www.todayonline.com/world/indonesias-president-says-china-has-no-legal-claim-south-china-sea-newspaper
23/3/15
The Philippines said on Thursday it would resume repair and reconstruction works in the disputed South China Sea after halting activities last year over concerns about the effect on an arbitration complaint filed against China....
ReplyDeleteManila had called on all countries last October to stop construction work on small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, virtually all of which is claimed by China.
China itself is undertaking massive reclamation works in the area, while Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam have also been making improvements to their facilities.
"We are taking the position that we can proceed with the repair and maintenance," Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario told diplomats, military officers and foreign correspondents on Thursday.
He said the works, including repairs to an airstrip, did not violate an informal code of conduct in the South China Sea because they would not alter the status quo in the disputed area. The 2002 code was signed by China and 10 Southeast Asian states in Phnom Penh..................http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/philippines-says-to-resum/1743718.html
26/3/15