A Chinese garrison in the South China Sea is seen in this screenshot of a YouTube video of Beijing's recruitment video for its military.
China and other countries must end their quest to take control over islands in the South China Sea, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter told Chinese Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan in Kuala Lumpur.
"He [Carter] called on all parties to permanently halt reclamation and militarization activities," Defense Department spokesperson Peter Cook said in a release.
On Tuesday, Carter met with Wanquan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to discuss the situation in the South China Sea, and reiterated the US commitment to maintaining a power balance in the Asia-Pacific.
China has been constructing artificial islands on top of the coral reef habitats of the Spratly Islands, a group of more than 750 islands and reefs, over the past year. Beijing claimed sovereignty over the land and the 12 nautical mile zone surrounding the islands.
The United States has repeatedly warned it does not recognize the Chinese claims of sovereignty over the man-made islands, and has raised concerns over Beijing’s activities in the region.
"The secretary [Carter] affirmed to the minister that the US will continue to defend the principle of freedom of navigation, and will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows," Cook said.
On Tuesday, Carter and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani confirmed during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur their countries’ intentions to carry out maritime operations in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
US, Japan to conduct maritime operations in South China Sea
Secretary Carter and Japanese Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani also confirmed in Kuala Lumpur their countries’ intentions to carry out maritime operations in the Asia-Pacific region, the US Defense Department said in a press release on Tuesday.
US Navy amphibious assault vehicles with Philippine and US troops on board conducted maneuvers in the waters during a combined exercise in the South China Sea.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus, which serves as a platform for member nations to discuss defense cooperation with eight dialogue partners such as the United States.
“The two leaders also discussed the rapidly evolving security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, including the East China Sea and the South China Sea,” the press release said. “They affirmed both governments’ determination to conduct maritime operations in accordance with international law.”
During the meeting with Nakatani, Carter welcomed the enactment of the Peace and Security Legislation in Japan that allows the country to conduct military deployments abroad, according to the press release.
On Tuesday, Carter also discussed regional security issues with the defense ministers of the Philippines, Singapore, India and Thailand.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/119740/carter-urges-china-to-stop-militarization-of-south-china-sea-us-japan-bent-on-sea-operations
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