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China voices concern over US militarization of disputed waters

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 22, 2016 7:59AM

China has voiced concern over agreements such as the recent one between the US and the Philippines, which allow Washington to beef up its military presence in the disputed South China Sea.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying warned that such agreements should not pose threats to "any third party nor harm other nations' sovereignty or security interests."

"Can they then explain, isn't this kind of continued strengthening of military deployments in the South China Sea and areas surrounding it considered militarization?" she asked.

The remarks by the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman were made in response to last week's deal between the US and the Philippines, which allows Washington to have military presence at five bases in the Asian state.

The latest developments come as Washington has been accusing Beijing of increasing its militarization of the disputed region by constructing airfields and other military facilities on islands claimed by both China and a number of its claims.

Chinese officials have repeatedly asserted Beijing's right to reclaim land within its own sovereign territory.

Last month, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei slammed Washington's military build-up in the South China Sea, saying the US was militarizing the disputed waters by conducting patrols.

The South China Sea has become a source of tension between China, the US, and some other regional countries who are seeking control of trade routes and mineral deposits there.

The disputed islands are claimed by countries such as Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Malaysia, which all have overlapping claims with China over the territories in the South China Sea, including the Paracels, Spratly Islands, Pratas Islands and Scarborough Shoal.

Washington has been accusing Beijing of attempting to take advantage of the situation and gradually asserting control over the region. However, China rejects the allegations and says the US is interfering in regional affairs, deliberately stirring tensions in the South China Sea.