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China: South China Sea disputes not an issue with US

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Fri Nov 3, 2017

A senior Chinese official says territorial disputes between China and a number of other countries in the South China Sea are not an issue between Beijing and the United States, adding that Washington is expected to make a positive contribution over the matter and not cause more trouble.

Ahead of a visit to China by US President Donald Trump next week, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang said on Friday, “The South China Sea issue isn’t an issue between China and the United States.”

Zheng hoped Washington could objectively view what he said were positive developments in the South China Sea and respect the efforts by China and Southeast Asian countries to safeguard peace and stability there.

“We hope that as an external party, the United States can plant more flowers and fewer thorns, help and not cause problems,” he said.

Washington, an extra-regional power, often takes sides with China’s rival claimants in the Sea. Those other countries are Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. The US also accuses China of attempting to assert control over the region, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas reserves.

China, however, rejects the allegations and accuses the US of interfering in the affairs of a region it does not belong to and deliberately stirring up tensions there.

From time to time, Washington sends its warships to the region to protect it calls “freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea.

Zheng also said that Beijing had no issue with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea but it opposed parties using it as an “excuse” to harm China’s sovereignty and security interests.(Agencies)

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