Golez: An arms race in the South China Sea and beyond - China against the world.
US Navy commander fears S China Sea arms race
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TOKYO – The United States Pacific Fleet Commander has warned of a possible arms race in the disputed South China Sea that could engulf the region, as nations become increasingly tempted to use military force instead of international law to settle territorial spats.
Admiral Scott Swift urged the nations involved, such as China, to seek arbitration to settle maritime disputes.
“My concern is that after many decades of peace and prosperity, we may be seeing the leading edge of a return of ‘might makes it right’ to the region,” he said in a speech in Hawaii.
“Claimants and non-claimants alike are transferring larger shares of national wealth to develop more capable naval forces beyond what is needed merely for self-defence.”
Asked about Admiral Swift’s comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said yesterday: “Certain countries are exaggerating tensions in the South China Sea region, which is in reality to create confusion and meddle in the South China Sea. China is resolutely opposed to this.”
China’s Defence Ministry said certain countries were conducting “a big show of force” in the South China Sea.
“At the same time, (they are) wantonly expressing remarks to create tensions, in an attempt to sow confusion and muddy the waters,” the ministry said in a statement.
China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than US$5 trillion (S$7.03 trillion) in ship-borne trade passes every year. Beijing is building seven man-made islands on reefs in the Spratly Islands, including a 3km-long airstrip on one of the sites, according to satellite imagery of the area.
“Even now, ships and aircraft operating near these features in accordance with international law, are subject to superfluous warnings that threaten routine commercial and military operations,” said Admiral Swift, speaking at the Cooperative Strategy Forum to naval commanders from Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and other countries.
In October, US guided-missile destroyer Lassen sailed close to one of China’s man-made islands, drawing an angry rebuke from China and a shadowing patrol.
Australia’s Defence Department recently said one of its aircraft was involved in “a routine maritime patrol” over the South China Sea from Nov 25 to Dec 4.
The BBC reported that the aircraft was “exercising international freedom of navigation rights”.
Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan also claim parts of the South China Sea.
China has been building up its civilian infrastructure in the South China Sea and, over the weekend, opened its first school there, on Woody Island in the Paracels, said state media.
In a challenge to China’s island-building programme, Manila has asked the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to affirm its right to areas within 200 nautical miles of its coastline, under the terms of a UN convention.
“The Arbitration Tribunal’s case between the Philippines and China could become the latest opportunity to demonstrate lawful access to regional prosperity for all nations,” said Admiral Swift.
Beijing has so far rejected the court’s jurisdiction and boycotted the hearing. Rulings are supposed to be binding on member countries, including China. But the tribunal has no enforcement powers and verdicts have sometimes been ignored.
The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party, yesterday called the case a “farce” designed to rip from China territory it has had sovereignty over since ancient times. REUTERS
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