US senators see no clash with China in Asia

Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., second right, speaks with other Senators, from left, Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI, during a press conference at the US embassy in Manila Tuesday. AP

MANILA, Philippines—A US-China confrontation in Asia is unlikely but Washington is committed to help bolster the military firepower of its allies like the Philippines amid territorial disputes with Beijing, two US senators said Tuesday.

The Philippines has turned to Washington for warships, fighter jets and radar to bolster its anemic military after accusing Chinese ships of repeatedly intruding into areas it claims in disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) territories and disrupting oil exploration in its territorial waters last year.

Vietnam has leveled similar accusations against China, which dismissed the allegations and reiterated its sovereignty in virtually the entire region. The potentially oil- and gas-rich sea territory has long been feared as Asia’s potential flashpoint for conflict.

Senator John McCain, however, said he did not expect any major conflict erupting between the United States and China but reiterated Washington’s commitment to maintain its presence in Asia and bolster the military firepower of its allies like the Philippines to counterbalance China’s dominance.

“We do not foresee a conflict or confrontation with China,” McCain said in a news conference in Manila, where he and three other US senators held talks with Philippine officials on bolstering defense and trade ties.

But he added the best way to guarantee Asia’s stability was for Washington to build a strong military presence in the region as well as robust alliances with its allies.

With the US drawing down its military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, McCain said America will intensify its deployment of air and naval assets to Asia, increase joint military exercises with allies and bolster trade.

Despite its economic difficulties, the US can build a strong presence through robust defense cooperation with its Asian allies and maintain a formidable force in critical areas like the South China Sea, Senator Joseph Lieberman said.

“We simply cannot allow one nation, in this case China, to exercise disproportionate control over these waterways,” Lieberman said.

“Were not gonna let those claims to be settled by force or by bullying,” he said. “We’re going to make sure to the best of our ability that they’re settled as a matter of negotiations, multilateral negotiations and international rule of law.”

China wants bilateral negotiations to resolve the longstanding conflicts. It has warned non-claimants led by the United States from intervening.