Sun criticised the US plan to deploy medium-range missile systems in the area, claiming it escalates an arms race and places the Asia Pacific under the shadow of geopolitical conflicts….reports Asian Lite News
The US presents the largest security challenge in the South China Sea due to its military deployment, turning the region into “the whirlpool of an arms race,” Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong stated amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
“The biggest security challenge in the South China Sea comes from outside the region,” Sun remarked, following a high-level East Asian cooperation meeting in Laos. He accused US-led forces of increasing military actions, inciting maritime disputes, and undermining the rights of coastal countries, Reuters reported.
Sun criticised the US plan to deploy medium-range missile systems in the area, claiming it escalates an arms race and places the Asia Pacific under the shadow of geopolitical conflicts. He emphasized China’s commitment to managing disputes through dialogue, it was reported.
In April, the Philippines asserted its sovereign rights in the South China Sea during a meeting with US allies, accusing China of escalating harassment. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, vital for over $3 trillion in annual shipping, and has deployed coast guard vessels far from its mainland to enforce its jurisdiction.
The Philippines and China have clashed repeatedly this year over disputed areas within Manila’s exclusive economic zone. While China accuses the Philippines of encroachment, Manila and its allies condemn Beijing’s actions as aggressive. The United States has affirmed its support for Manila.
Earlier this month, China’s Minister of National Defence Admiral Dong Jun warned “external forces” for emboldening Taiwan Independence separatists in an attempt to contain China with Taiwan and said that these malicious intentions are dragging Taiwan into a dangerous situation.”
He said that anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China will “end up in self-destruction.”
Chinese Defence Minister said that some external forces keep “hollowing out” the one-China principle and continue to sell arms to Taiwan. He said that external forces were taking these actions to “Taiwan Independence separatists in an attempt to contain China with Taiwan” and stressed that these intentions are dragging Taiwan into a dangerous situation.
Days after Lai Ching-te was sworn in, China launched two-day-long military drills, surrounding Taiwan in what it called “punishment” for so-called “separatist acts,” CNN reported.
The reason for China’s drill is Lai’s inaugural speech, in which he called on Beijing to stop intimidating the island nation, over which China continues to make its claim.
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