Socio-Economics History Blog

Socio-Economics History Blog

US Warns China Over Building Artificial Islands in South China Sea

by mosesman
The USS Fort Worth conducts patrols in the South China Sea as the Chinese guided-missile frigate Yancheng sails close behind.
The USS Fort Worth conducts patrols in the South China Sea as the Chinese guided-missile frigate Yancheng sails close behind.
  • US warns China over building artificial islands in South China Sea
    by http://www.presstv.com/  
    The United States has warned China over its construction projects in the South China Sea area as tensions escalate between Washington and Beijing.
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    US Assistant Secretary Of State for East Asia Daniel Russel said Wednesday China’s territorial claims of man-made islands in the South China Sea may have “harsh and heavy consequences” and could further militarize the region.
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    “Not every problem is best dealt with by imposing harsh and heavy consequences,” Russel was quoted as saying by the Washington Post.
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    “But sure, we are looking at the options available to us if persuasion and diplomacy doesn’t work,” he added.
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    During a visit to China this weekend, US Secretary of State John Kerry would warn Chinese leaders that Beijing’s building projects could have negative consequences for regional stability and for relations with the United States.
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    Tensions are rising between the United States and China following a proposed US military plan to send aircraft and Navy ships near the disputed islands to contest Chinese territorial claims over the area.
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    On Tuesday, a US official said the Pentagon was considering sending military aircraft and warships to confront Chinese territorial claims.
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    China expressed anger over the Pentagon’s decision. “We are severely concerned by relevant remarks made by the American side,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, at a regular briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.
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    “Freedom of navigation does not mean that the military vessels or aircraft of a foreign country can wilfully enter the territorial waters or airspace of another country,” she said.
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    Washington accuses Beijing of rapidly building up to 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of artificial islands in the Spratlys, an archipelago of more than a hundred islands, reefs and atolls between Vietnam and the Philippines.
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