"China's work on some islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands falls entirely within its sovereignty, which neither affects nor targets any nation, nor threatens international shipping routes nor fisheries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular press briefing.
- His comments came in response to a question regarding Aquino's recent interview with AFP when he said China's efforts to claim most of the South China Sea should spark fear around the world, with military conflict possible.
- "In fact, China's Nansha Islands were never Philippine territory according to international treaties defining the country's territory," Hong said.
"We urge the Philippines to respect China's sovereignty and its own commitment in bilateral documents and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)," he said.
The spokesman also urged the Philippines to settle disputes through direct negotiations, and do more to help bilateral ties and regional peace and stability.
China's position on the South China Sea issue is consistent and clear, he said.
China is committed to jointly safeguard peace and stability of the South China Sea with ASEAN members, he added.
Xinhua
china.org.cn
15/4/15
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Related:
Beijing rejects US ‘force’ accusations. (Obama’s claims about South China Sea disputes unjustified)
The Philippines on Monday said China's reclamation work in the South China Sea had destroyed about 300 acres (1.2 sq km) of coral reef, causing annual estimated losses of $100 million to coastal nations...
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China reiterates sovereignty over Nansha Islands
- Obama says China bullying smaller nations in South China Sea row ...
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----China says island, reef construction in South China Sea lawful, justified
Senate Demands Formal US Strategy to Stop China in South China Sea (video)
China asks US to stop interfering in maritime disputes
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Les Philippines ont demandé aux États-Unis de leur fournir un soutien plus actif dans le litige territorial qui les oppose à la Chine, autour des îles Spratleys en mer de Chine méridionale...
ReplyDeleteManille avertit que l'activité accrue de la Chine dans l'archipel contesté pourrait déboucher sur un conflit militaire à part entière. Pour s'y préparer, les militaires philippins organiseront la semaine prochaine des exercices avec les Américains — les plus grandes manœuvres dans toute l'histoire des relations entre les deux pays. Toutefois, bien que les USA soient prêts à fournir aux Philippines un soutien matériel et technique, ils n'ont toujours pas l'intention de s'ingérer directement dans le litige......http://sptnkne.ws/dJH
16/4/15
Images show China building aircraft runway in disputed Spratly Islands...
ReplyDeleteChina is building a concrete runway on an island in the South China Sea’s contested waters that will be capable of handling military aircraft when finished, satellite images released today (April 16) show.
The first section of the runway appears like a piece of gray ribbon on an image taken last month of Fiery Cross Reef, part of the Spratly Islands, an archipelago claimed by at least three other countries. Adjacent to the runway, work is underway on an apron for taxiing and parking planes.
The runway, which is expected to be about 10,000 feet long — enough to accommodate fighter jets and surveillance aircraft — represents a game changer in the competition between the United States and China in the South China Sea, said Mr Peter Dutton, Professor of strategic studies at the Naval War College in Rhode Island.
“In order to have sea control, you need to have air control,” Mr Dutton said.
Analysts had speculated that China planned to build an airstrip on Fiery Cross Reef, but the satellite image from March 23, provided by Airbus and released today by Jane’s Defence Weekly, is the first hard evidence that it is doing so....Reuters......todayonline.com
Commentary: Japan's meddling in South China Sea at wrong time, wrong place ...
ReplyDeleteUsing multilateral platforms like the Group of Seven (G7) to meddle in the situation of the South China Sea, Japan has once again made an unwise move which came at a wrong place and a wrong time.
G7 foreign ministers compiled a document Wednesday on maritime security, renewing attention to the South China Sea by opposing "any attempt to press maritime or territorial claims through the use of intimidation, coercion or force."
The document is a result of the "consistent efforts and hard work" of the Japanese government, which is greatly interested in keeping this issue on the agenda in coming years to step up pressure on China over territorial issues in the South China Sea, to which none of the G7 members is a relevant party.
Japan's interference with the disputes in the South China Sea aims partly to divert China's attention and resources from the East China Sea, where China-Japan tension over the Diaoyu Islands has been rising......Xinhua........china.org.cn
17/4/15