The Chinese ambassador said in an article published Tuesday on Western Australian daily newspaper that it is in China's interest to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, because it is not only a well-known international sea lane, but also an important route for China's foreign trade and energy import.
Ma Zhaoxu pointed out that despite disputes, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea has never been a problem.
He said, "China has always maintained that navigation freedom in the South China Sea enjoyed by all countries based on international law should be guaranteed. Guided by this principle, China has actively participated in regional maritime safety cooperation."
The Chinese ambassador said China believes that the disputes should be resolved through negotiation and consultation between parties directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law, and China and ASEAN member states should work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Regarding China's construction on some of the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, the Chinese ambassador said China has every right to do so since it falls entirely within China's sovereignty and is completely lawful, reasonable and justified.
He said the construction is carried out mainly for three purposes: improving the living and working conditions of people stationed there; better performing China's international responsibility and obligation in maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and mitigation, environmental protection; and better providing international public good such as navigation safety, marine science and research, meteorological observation and fishery production.
Ma said China will continue to make concerted efforts with ASEAN countries for the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), careful management of frictions and practical cooperation on the sea, so that the South China Sea could become a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship.
Xinhua - china.org.cn
29/5/15
--
-
Related:
-----
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
China, U.S. engage in war of words over disputed islands...
ReplyDeleteWashington (CNN)The standoff between the U.S. and China over disputed territory in the South China Sea is escalating into a war of words and renewed pledges of military maneuvers in the area.
"China urges the U.S., think three times before taking action; act responsibly; stop all provocative speech and acts; and do more things that will benefit the region's peace and stability instead of the opposite," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Thursday.
The comments came after U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter began an important trip to the Pacific region, during which he vowed that the U.S. would not back down on its military operations around islands China is manufacturing in disputed waters 600 miles from its coastline.............http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/28/politics/china-ashton-carter-south-china-sea-islands/index.html
U.S. says China has placed mobile artillery on reclaimed island...
ReplyDeleteThe United States said on Friday that China had placed mobile artillery weapons systems on a reclaimed island in the disputed South China Sea, a development that Republican Sen. John McCain called "disturbing and escalatory."
Brent Colburn, a Pentagon spokesman traveling with Defense Secretary Ash Carter, said the United States was aware of the weapons.
McCain, chairman of the Senate's Armed Services Committee, said the move would escalate tensions but not lead to conflict.
"It is a disturbing development and escalatory development, one which heightens our need to make the Chinese understand that their actions are in violation of international law and their actions are going to be condemned by everyone in the world," he said at a news conference in Ho Chi Minh City.
"We are not going to have a conflict with China but we can take certain measures which will be a disincentive to China to continue these kinds of activities," he said.
In Beijing, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she had no information on the weapons.......REUTERS