US urges end to island-building in South China Sea

Ash Carter, US defence secretary, has called for an immediate end to island-building by China and other countries near the South China Sea.

Speaking at a military ceremony in Pearl Harbour, in the US island of Hawaii, on Thursday, he urged the participants to stop militarising the dispute and to find a peaceful solution.

Carter said China’s island-building efforts were “out of step” with the regional consensus and that US military aircraft and warships would continue to operate in the area as permitted under international law.

“China’s actions are bringing countries in the region together in new ways,” he said.

“They’re increasing demand for American engagement in the Asia-Pacific. We’re going to meet it.

“We will remain the principal security power in the Asia-Pacific for decades to come.”

Carter’s comments came a week after the US Navy sent a P-8 reconnaissance plane carrying navy and television camera crews to film Chinese island-building activity in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

‘Double standards’

In Beijing, the Chinese foreign ministry said the US had “double standards”.

“I want to emphasise that the US has been selectively mute on individual countries that have selectively occupied China’s islands and reefs, but have made irresponsible remarks on the construction activities that are lawful, fair and reasonable within China’s scope of sovereignty,” Hua Chunying, ministry spokesperson, said on Thursday.

“The Chinese people can make their own judgment. No one has the right to tell China what to do.”

US officials say China has added some 2,000 acres to five outposts in the Spratly Islands, including 1,500 acres since the start of this year.

“We want a peaceful resolution of all disputes, and an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by any claimant. We also oppose any further militarisation of disputed features,” Carter said.

“With its actions in the South China Sea, China is out of step with both international norms that underscore the Asia-Pacific’s security architecture.”

The US aircraft that flew near the Spratlys was repeatedly warned by a Chinese navy radio operator to leave the area.

The islands are claimed by several other countries in the region, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.

Carter is on the first leg of a trip that will take him to Singapore for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security conference and then on to Vietnam and India, where he will discuss maritime security issues and boosting security ties.

His comments came at a change-of-command ceremony for the US military’s Pacific Command, which is responsible for US forces in the Asia-Pacific region.