This is an issue between China and some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed.
The country adheres to the “principle of properly handling maritime disputes, including resource exploitation, with the countries directly involved through negotiations and consultations.” The spokesman made the statements in connection with remarks by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, who expressed Manila’s desire to collaborate with Washington, Japan, Australia and other allies in the development of oil and gas in the South Sea.
In this regard, Wang stressed that “the relevant countries should not violate China’s territorial sovereignty or undermine China’s maritime rights and interests, let alone entice countries outside the region to intervene.”
In his view, “courting” nations from elsewhere will only complicate the situation in the area further.
At another point in his press conference, the spokesman condemned the cold war mentality of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, and criticized the military collaboration between those countries within the so-called “trilateral security partnership.”
“It aggravates the risks of nuclear proliferation, exacerbates the arms race in the Asia-Pacific region, and undermines regional peace and stability. China and many countries in the region are deeply concerned about it and strongly oppose it,” he said.
jg/arm/mem/idm
