Obama: We will continue to test China over disputed islands

From Update.Ph (Feb 21): Obama: We will continue to test China over disputed islands

The US has declared that they will push China on the issue of disputed islands, promising to “test” China while accusing them of abusing their “might.”

President Barack Obama said in an interview with Channel News Asia that his administration will “continue to test” Beijing’s pledge to not militarize the disputed South China Sea.

He accused China of abusing their power in the region by placing missiles on islands in the disputed Parcel archipelago.

“We think China is resorting to the old style of might makes right, as opposed to working through international law and international norms to establish claims, and to resolve disputes,” Obama said.

The US President made the comments following a summit of Southeast Asian nations and after reports that included satellite imagery purporting to show missile systems being set up on the islands.

China and other nations — including Vietnam and Taiwan — all claim islands in the region but China has argued that the chain belongs exclusively to them.

According to China Cheat Sheets, the Chinese Defense Ministry called reports about the missile deployment “hype by certain Western media outlets,” adding that it has controlled the Paracels since the end of the Vietnam War. However, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of it.

http://www.update.ph/2016/02/obama-we-will-continue-to-test-china-over-disputed-islands/2698