Beijing Summons U.S. Envoy to Express 'Strong Dissatisfaction' Over Washington's Criticism of Planned Military Garrison
China summoned a U.S. diplomat to rebut a State Department accusation that Beijing is hampering diplomatic efforts to defuse long-simmering tensions over the disputed South China Sea.
The Foreign Ministry said on its website late Saturday that it summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission in Beijing, Robert Wang, to present "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to a U.S. statement on Friday. On Friday, the U.S. said China's recent decision to establish a military garrison in the South China Sea and elevate the administrative status of an island outpost in waters claimed by China, the Philippines and others risked further inflaming tension there.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing confirmed Mr. Wang met with Chinese officials on Saturday but declined to provide further details.
In Washington, a State Department official said, "We have been in close contact with countries in the region, including China, on developments in the South China Sea."
The latest tit-for-tat underscores how China, the U.S. and Southeast Asian nations remain far apart in resolving what has emerged as a possibly volatile flash point. The potentially mineral-rich waters, which are also home to key international trade routes, are claimed in whole by China and in part by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and others.
Renewed concern over the regional disputes comes as diplomats and officials from both the U.S. and China are working to smooth relations ahead of China's sensitive once-a-decade leadership transition beginning late this year and a U.S. presidential election in which Beijing's rise has emerged as a contentious talking point.
Additionally, renewed U.S.-China tensions over the sea threatens to complicate a push into North America by CNOOC Ltd., which would gain assets in the Gulf of Mexico among other places if it completes its $15.1 billion deal for Canada's Nexen Inc.
The Hong Kong-listed oil company's state-controlled parent, China National Offshore Oil Corp., has been the most aggressive Chinese company to help assert Beijing's claims over the South China Sea, which is thought to hold vast reserves of oil and natural gas.
In June, China announced it would elevate the administrative status of a community called Sansha on one of the disputed islands to become a prefectural-level city, responsible for governing Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha islands, as they are called in China. They are also commonly referred to as the Spratlys, Paracels and the Macclesfield Bank.
The islands, for now, remain mostly undeveloped. The exact population of civilians and military personnel living in Sansha isn't clear, but Xinhua said last month that 613 people have become official residents of Sansha. Officials say they plan to beef up infrastructure there as well as industries like tourism, which Beijing hopes will bolster its claims of sovereignty.
China's Central Military Commission also in July approved the establishment of a military garrison in the area, though it remains unclear what kinds of air and sea power Beijing might station there. Analysts say these moves by Beijing threaten to unite other regional claimants in opposition.
Chinese officials have been eager to build public support for the country's efforts in the South China Sea. In late July, for example, the southern island province of Hainan broadcast a variety show titled "Love My Sansha," complete with performances of songs such as "Xisha, My Cute Hometown," according to a government news portal.
The U.S. State Department Friday reiterated its long-held stance that it doesn't take sides in territorial disputes, but that it has an interest in maintaining freedom of navigation in critical South China Sea shipping lanes.
"China upgrading of the administrative level of Sansha City and establishment of a new military garrison there covering disputed areas of the South China Sea run counter to collaborative diplomatic efforts to resolve differences and risk further escalating tensions in the region," the statement added.
China resents U.S. involvement in the disputes and says they should be settled peacefully between China and individual countries involved. The Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday saying the U.S. was undermining stability and economic prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.
The State Department accusation "is not conducive to unity and cooperation among countries in the region or to peace and stability in this part of the world," the Foreign Ministry statement said.
Disputes over the sea's collection of rocks, islands and reefs have existed for decades, but have become more volatile alongside rising prospects for exploiting oil and gas reserves there.
Cnooc, one of China's three major oil companies, has been developing deep-sea technology for use in the South China Sea despite the rising territorial disputes. In May, the company announced it had launched the country's first deep-water drilling rig southeast of Hong Kong.
Asian Defence News
China summoned a U.S. diplomat to rebut a State Department accusation that Beijing is hampering diplomatic efforts to defuse long-simmering tensions over the disputed South China Sea.
The Foreign Ministry said on its website late Saturday that it summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission in Beijing, Robert Wang, to present "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to a U.S. statement on Friday. On Friday, the U.S. said China's recent decision to establish a military garrison in the South China Sea and elevate the administrative status of an island outpost in waters claimed by China, the Philippines and others risked further inflaming tension there.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing confirmed Mr. Wang met with Chinese officials on Saturday but declined to provide further details.
In Washington, a State Department official said, "We have been in close contact with countries in the region, including China, on developments in the South China Sea."
The latest tit-for-tat underscores how China, the U.S. and Southeast Asian nations remain far apart in resolving what has emerged as a possibly volatile flash point. The potentially mineral-rich waters, which are also home to key international trade routes, are claimed in whole by China and in part by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and others.
Renewed concern over the regional disputes comes as diplomats and officials from both the U.S. and China are working to smooth relations ahead of China's sensitive once-a-decade leadership transition beginning late this year and a U.S. presidential election in which Beijing's rise has emerged as a contentious talking point.
Additionally, renewed U.S.-China tensions over the sea threatens to complicate a push into North America by CNOOC Ltd., which would gain assets in the Gulf of Mexico among other places if it completes its $15.1 billion deal for Canada's Nexen Inc.
The Hong Kong-listed oil company's state-controlled parent, China National Offshore Oil Corp., has been the most aggressive Chinese company to help assert Beijing's claims over the South China Sea, which is thought to hold vast reserves of oil and natural gas.
In June, China announced it would elevate the administrative status of a community called Sansha on one of the disputed islands to become a prefectural-level city, responsible for governing Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha islands, as they are called in China. They are also commonly referred to as the Spratlys, Paracels and the Macclesfield Bank.
The islands, for now, remain mostly undeveloped. The exact population of civilians and military personnel living in Sansha isn't clear, but Xinhua said last month that 613 people have become official residents of Sansha. Officials say they plan to beef up infrastructure there as well as industries like tourism, which Beijing hopes will bolster its claims of sovereignty.
China's Central Military Commission also in July approved the establishment of a military garrison in the area, though it remains unclear what kinds of air and sea power Beijing might station there. Analysts say these moves by Beijing threaten to unite other regional claimants in opposition.
Chinese officials have been eager to build public support for the country's efforts in the South China Sea. In late July, for example, the southern island province of Hainan broadcast a variety show titled "Love My Sansha," complete with performances of songs such as "Xisha, My Cute Hometown," according to a government news portal.
The U.S. State Department Friday reiterated its long-held stance that it doesn't take sides in territorial disputes, but that it has an interest in maintaining freedom of navigation in critical South China Sea shipping lanes.
"China upgrading of the administrative level of Sansha City and establishment of a new military garrison there covering disputed areas of the South China Sea run counter to collaborative diplomatic efforts to resolve differences and risk further escalating tensions in the region," the statement added.
China resents U.S. involvement in the disputes and says they should be settled peacefully between China and individual countries involved. The Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday saying the U.S. was undermining stability and economic prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.
The State Department accusation "is not conducive to unity and cooperation among countries in the region or to peace and stability in this part of the world," the Foreign Ministry statement said.
Disputes over the sea's collection of rocks, islands and reefs have existed for decades, but have become more volatile alongside rising prospects for exploiting oil and gas reserves there.
Cnooc, one of China's three major oil companies, has been developing deep-sea technology for use in the South China Sea despite the rising territorial disputes. In May, the company announced it had launched the country's first deep-water drilling rig southeast of Hong Kong.
Asian Defence News
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