South China Sea

Divisions within Asia over China's claims in the disputed South China Sea spilled over on Nov. 4 to a meeting of U.S. and Asian defense ministers, where China insisted the group make no public mention of the strategic waters in a joint declaration intended as a public display of unity.

The US military will continue to operate "wherever" international law allows, including in the South China Sea, a top US admiral said in Beijing on Nov 3, a week after America infuriated China by sailing close to artificial islands it is building in the contested waters.

China's navy chief warned his US counterpart encounters between their forces could spiral into conflict, state media reported, two days after a US destroyer sailed close to Beijing's artificial South China Sea islands.
 

Some countries appear to view freedom of the seas as "up for grabs" in the South China Sea, imposing superfluous warnings and restrictions that threaten stability, a U.S. Navy commander said on Oct. 6 in comments apparently aimed at China. 

Beijing may be building its third airstrip on artificial islands in the South China Sea, a US think-tank said, in a move likely to raise tensions with Washington ahead of a state visit by China's president.
 

Novinite has been asked to publish a statement by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the developments in the South China Sea.

Since the publication reflects no position or affiliation of our website, Novinite is urging all the parties affected to provide their opinion on the issues discussed here.

US Secretary of State John Kerry voiced concern to China on August 5 over its land reclamation in the disputed South China Sea and militarisation of the waters, a US official said.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on August 3 the disputed South China Sea should not be discussed at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

US President Barack Obama welcomed the leader of Vietnam's Communist Party on July 7 to the White House for historic but "candid" talks marking two decades of rapprochement between the former enemies.

The Philippines argued at a closed hearing on July 7 that an international court should intervene in its dispute with China over the right to exploit natural resources and fish in the South China Sea.