中 "US Provokes South China Sea Issue... Irresponsible Actions Threatening Peace"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] China strongly reacted, calling it an "intentional provocation," after U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken recently repeatedly raised the issue of the South China Sea, a disputed territory.

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized Blinken on the 14th during a regular briefing for mentioning the South China Sea issue in talks with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) foreign ministers, saying, "The United States ignores the historical background and objective facts of the South China Sea issue and violates international law."

Spokesperson Zhao stated, "The U.S. government broke its public promise not to take a position on the South China Sea issue and is intentionally provoking disputes over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea," adding, "This is a very irresponsible act aimed at sowing discord between China and ASEAN countries and destroying regional peace and stability."

He emphasized, "The United States claims to be a defender of international law while talking about the South China Sea issue, but it has not even acceded to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Join UNCLOS first, then speak again."

During a video conference with ASEAN foreign ministers on the same day, Secretary Blinken urged ASEAN to take measures to resolve the Myanmar coup situation and said, "The United States opposes China's illegal territorial claims in the South China Sea and stands with ASEAN countries against China's coercion."

On the 11th, Blinken also issued a statement commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling related to the South China Sea, criticizing, "There is no place where the rules-based maritime order is more threatened than the South China Sea," and "China continues to pressure and intimidate Southeast Asian coastal countries, threatening freedom of navigation in this critical global waterway."

China claims sovereignty along the "Nine-Dash Line," a U-shaped line consisting of nine dashes drawn around the South China Sea, leading to disputes with ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.