China rejects US criticism of sea reclamations

SINGAPORE - Agence France-Presse

Chinese Admiral Sun Jianguo (L), the deputy chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army, and New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee (R) attend the 14th Asia-Pacific Security Summit, known as the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31, 2015. AFP Photo

China on May 31 rejected US demands to stop its intensifying reclamation works in the South China Sea, saying it was exercising its sovereignty while helping the rest of the world.

Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff department in the People's Liberation Army, told a security summit in Singapore that "the situation in the South China Sea is on the whole peaceful and stable, and there has never been an issue with the freedom of navigation."  

"China has carried out construction on some islands and reefs in the South China Sea mainly for the purpose of improving the functions of the relevant islands and reefs, and the working and living conditions of personnel stationed there.
   
"Apart from meeting the necessary defence needs, it is more geared to better perform China's international responsibilities and obligations regarding maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and relief, maritime scientific research, meteorological observation, environmental protection, safety of navigation, fishery production, services," he added.
 
China insists it has sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, a major global shipping route believed to be home to oil and gas reserves.
 
"When dealing with maritime disputes with relevant neighbouring countries, China has always kept in mind the larger interest of maritime security," Sun told the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.
 
"In spite of the sufficient historical and legal evidence and its indisputable claims, rights and interests,  China has exercised enormous restraint, making positive contributions to peace and stability of the region and the world at large."  

Sun was speaking a day after US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter demanded an immediate end to China's reclamation works and said Beijing was "out of step" with international norms with its behaviour in disputed waters.
 
"First, we want a peaceful resolution of all disputes. To that end, there should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants," Carter said on May 30 at the same forum with Sun and his delegation in the audience.
 
"We also oppose any further militarisation of disputed features," he said.
 
He acknowledged that other claimants have developed outposts of differing scope and degree, including Vietnam with 48, the Philippines with eight, Malaysia with five and Taiwan with one.
 
"Yet, one country has gone much farther and much faster than any other.
 
"China has reclaimed over 2,000 acres, more than all other claimants combined and more than in the entire history of the region. And China did so in only the last 18 months," Carter said.