US set to defy China’s claims

‘Irresponsible, dangerous’

“Such action is likely to cause an accident, it is very irresponsible and dangerous and detrimental to regional peace and stability. We express our strong dissatisfaction, we urge the US to strictly abide by international law and international rules, and refrain from taking any risky and provocative actions,” Hong told a news conference in Beijing.

“China will continue to closely monitor the relevant area and take the necessary and appropriate measures to prevent harm to the safety of China’s islands and reefs as well as any sea and air accidents,” he said.

The Global Times, a tabloid owned by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily, called the US overflights “provocative.”

“Washington is purposely raising tensions with China, a move that has created a higher risk of a physical confrontation,” the newspaper said in an editorial on Friday.

“China should be prepared to ramp up its countermeasures, one notch at a time, according to the degree of provocations from the US,” the paper said.

Could lead to conflict

Military facilities on Kagitingan Reef, including a 3,000-meter runway, could be operational by year’s end, one US commander recently told Reuters, and Washington is concerned China will use it to press its extensive territorial claims at the expense of weaker rivals.

On Thursday, US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China’s land reclamation in the South China Sea was undermining freedom and stability, and risked provoking tension that could lead to conflict.

“As China seeks to make sovereign land out of sandcastles and redraw maritime boundaries, it is eroding regional trust and undermining investor confidence,” Blinken told a conference in Jakarta, Indonesia.

New precedent

“Its behavior threatens to set a new precedent whereby larger countries are free to intimidate smaller ones, and that provokes tensions, instability and can even lead to conflict,” he said.

Earlier, China said it had “indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha islands and adjacent waters,” using its name for the Spratlys.

“We hope that relevant countries can respect China’s sovereignty in the South China Sea, avoid taking actions that may escalate or complicate the matters, and contribute to regional peace and stability,” Hong told reporters.

China has also said it had every right to set up an air defense identification zone in the South China Sea but that current conditions did not warrant one. Reports from AFP and AP