US concerns over Chinese unilateral actions in South China Sea

Bs_logoImage
Press Trust of India Washington
Last Updated : May 16 2014 | 9:11 AM IST
US Vice President Joe Biden met a top Chinese military official and expressed America's concerns over China's unilateral actions against Vietnem in South China Sea.
Biden expressed his concern when he met the Chinese People's Liberation Army Chief of General Staff Fang Fenghui at the White House yesterday.
"The Vice President underscored the United States' serious concern about China's unilateral actions in waters disputed with Vietnam," the White House said.
Biden reaffirmed that while the US does not take a position on the competing territorial claims, no nation should take provocative steps to advance claims over disputed areas in a manner that undermines peace and stability in the region, the White House said.
"The Vice President and General Fang also discussed the importance of the US-China relationship in the context of addressing a range of regional and global challenges," it said.
Earlier yesterday, Nina Hachigian, Nominee to be representative of the US to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), told lawmakers that the US has a national interest in the unfettered flow of this commerce and in freedom of navigation and overflight in these waters.
"Half of the tonnage of the world's ship-based cargo passes through the South China Sea," she said during her confirmation hearing.
"We have a deep stake in ensuring that the territorial and maritime disputes in the South China Sea are solved peacefully, without coercion, force or intimidation and in accordance with international law.
"Unfortunately, we have seen lately what appears to be a pattern of unilateral actions by China to advance its territorial and maritime claims, the latest of which is China's introduction of an oil rig into the disputed waters near the Paracel Islands. This is provocative and raises tensions, and it highlights the need for claimants to clarify their claims in accordance with international law," she said.
China, she said, is a major economic player in the region, no question.
"They have strong trading relationship with ASEAN. But we have strong trading relationships with ASEAN as well and we're the largest foreign investor by far," Hachigian added.
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories

  • Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 16 2014 | 9:11 AM IST