China breaks its silence to deny that it's militarizing the South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — China broke its silence and defended its expansion in the South China Sea on Sunday, as President Obama headed home after a six-day Asian trip that he used repeatedly to criticize China's military expansion in the region.
After failing to respond to Obama's comments on the subject, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin defended China's construction projects on the sea as a "public service" to protect reefs and islands and to station personnel stationed on the islands for the benefit of other countries using the waters.
“One should never link the military facilities with efforts to militarize the South China Sea,” Liu told reporters. “This is a false argument. It is a consistent Chinese position to firmly oppose the militarization of the South China Sea.” He also warned other countries not to "stir up trouble" in the disputed waters.
China's assertiveness in the sea has been a source of growing tension in the region. China claims most of the sea, which is rich in energy and fish and is a vital global shipping lane. China also has been creating new islands and constructing lighthouses, ports, military facilities and airstrips.
The United States recently asserted freedom of navigation in the disputed waters. Last month, the destroyer USS Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of disputed Subi Reef, while two Air Force B-52 bombers recently flew in international airspace within 15 nautical miles of one of the Spratly Islands that China claims as its own.
Obama raised the issue a final time Sunday before departing for Washington. "At the U.S.-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and East Asia Summits, a key topic was the South China Sea, and many leaders spoke about the need to uphold international principles, including the freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes," he said.
Trade issues also took center stage during Obama’s trip, as he promoted the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a 12-nation trade liberalization pact that was concluded in October.
On Saturday, Obama told an ASEAN business and investment meeting that the pact, which still must be ratified by each country's government, is "the highest standard trade agreement in history."
He said it would raise labor and environmental standards, encourage rule of law and create stronger and more accountable governance for all countries involved but added that it would also bring economic benefits to the United States.
"TPP is a win for the United States," he said. "I am not going to be shy about this. As U.S. president, I make no apologies for fighting to open markets to American companies and workers. And we have had success."
Analysts said Obama's trip was the strongest example to date of his long-planned goal of placing more emphasis on Asia. "President Obama’s attendance at the meetings itself is, to the region, very significant," said Joseph Chinyong Liow, professor of comparative and international politics at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Liow said there has always been concern within Southeast Asia that the U.S. can often be distracted and have its attention drawn away by events elsewhere in the world. "In the wake of the events of Paris, it was good to see President Obama make the trip, during which he also reiterated the importance of Asia to American policy," he said.
"I think Asia sees the pivot, or rebalance, in full swing right now," said Ernest Bower, Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Bower said Obama came in with a strong hand, with TPP negotiations completed, an improving U.S. economy and a firm stance on the South China Sea demonstrated through freedom of navigation operations. "For me, it's his best trip to Asia as president," he said.