Defense
China's territorial claim and creation of artificial islands in the South China Sea (SCS) region hasn’t been taken on a good note by any of the representatives attending East Asia and ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Malaysia.
China has been building large scale construction on islands in South China Sea, some of which seem to appear like military features. Worried about China’s progression in military practice, Southeast Asian countries, along with USA, India, Japan and Australia have shared their opinions at the meet. South China Sea is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. China has been creating artificial islands in waters where Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia Taiwan and the Philippines have overlapping claims.
India's minister of state for external affairs, VK Singh, who attended both the summits supported positions of Vietnam and Philippines and other countries on the matter, informed The Economic Times. "We share the concerns expressed by our ASEAN colleagues about the evolving situation in the South China Sea. Freedom of navigation in international waters including in the South China Sea, the right of passage and overflight, unimpeded commerce and access to resources in accordance with the principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, are issues of concern to us all," he told the press there.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has harshly criticised China’s move, accussing China of restricting navigation and overflights in the SCS region, assurances from his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi notwithstanding. China's relentless claims have raised alarm bells in large parts of Southeast Asia and India too is worried as claims in SCS impacts Delhi's economic and strategic interests.
"Despite assurances that these freedoms would be respected, we have seen warnings issued and restrictions attempted in recent months. Let me be clear: The United States will not accept restrictions on freedom of navigation and overflight, or other lawful uses of the sea," he told the press.
Official sources said China's historical evidence is baseless and its reclamation activities in SCS is illegal and contradicts international laws and norms. Disputes must be resolved peacefully through diplomatic means and freedom of navigation and over flight in the SCS region must be assured and maintained, sources stressed.
Vietnam and Philippines are most threatened by the Chinese plans of reclamation in SCS. Under such circumstances Vietnam two-fold strategy is to engage multi-lateral diplomacy and strengthen military capability is to protect its shelf, experts pointed out to the financial daily.