China state paper scoffs at US

Reinforcing China’s displeasure over American involvement in the West Philippine Sea dispute, a top Chinese newspaper scoffed at the United States’ recent statements on the establishment of a new Chinese city in the contested territory, saying its influence in the region was waning.

In an editorial on Monday, Chinese daily Global Times said the US state department’s criticism of China’s Sansha City may further embolden the Philippines and Vietnam, countries with strong claims over parts of the disputed Spratly even as China insists it wholly owns the territory.

“It is true that the US has influence in the South China Sea. But obviously, the US cannot do whatever it wants. Vietnam and the Philippines were very active in provoking China not long ago, which was potentially influenced by the US,” the Global Times said in its Aug. 6 editorial.

“But those days have passed, and the US can no longer cause tempests in the South China Sea only by a wink or a cough. Washington’s influence in the South China Sea is dropping,” said the paper.

The editorial came out shortly after the US blasted China’s establishment of Sansha City in the Paracels, a move that the Philippines, despite the lack of claim to the said islands, protested, saying such development was “unacceptable.”

Although based in the Paracels, the Sansha military garrison is China’s administrative arm supposed to also govern the resource-rich Spratlys, including the Kalayaan Island group which is being claimed by the Philippines. The Philippines looks to American backing in pursuing its claims in the region.

The US state department likewise criticized China’s move, saying the US was “concerned by the increase in tensions” in the West Philippine Sea and that the new garrison might further escalate conflict in the region.

This prompted China to summon Robert Wang, deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Beijing, on Saturday, saying the US should “correct its mistaken ways” and “respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”