Source: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/chinese-action-in-south-china-sea-is-provocative-susan-rice-524700
NDTV:
"Washington: A top American official has said the
recent Chinese action in South China Sea is provocative and unhelpful,
warning Beijing against isolation over its tense standoff with Vietnam.
"We've
been clear that what China has done vis-a-vis this latest incident of
putting down an oil rig and both sides then employing shows of force to
react in response to that is provocative and unhelpful," US National
Security Advisor Susan Rice yesterday.
"What you saw beyond
closed doors at the ASEAN meeting last weekend was a great deal of
anxiety which doesn't serve China well. China has every interest in the
countries of that region wanting to partner with it, not to be talking
behind closed doors about how to counter it," Rice said in response to a
question at a Women's Foreign Policy Group Discussion.
The US,
she said, has been very clear that the only way to resolve these
territorial disputes over sovereignty or through the mechanisms of
international law and peaceful resolution, whether it's the Law of the
Sea convention or other international legal instruments.
"We have
never have, taken a position on the sovereignty of these disputed
territories, but we have been very clear that provocative actions,
intimidation, steps to create facts on the ground that complicate the
prospect for diplomatic resolution are completely unhelpful," she said.
"That
was the message that the president took, in part, during our recent
trip to Asia. And it won wide support from each of the countries he
visited, where in fact what we're seeing in Southeast Asia are countries
that want good and constructive relationships with China, but are
increasingly unnerved and put off by what they view as provocative and
aggressive actions by China," she said.
One thing that can be
said about China is it wants to be welcomed and accepted as a major
player, not just in its own neighbourhood but on the global stage, Rice
said.
"And to the extent that it is becoming more isolated and
the subject of concern and opposition within its own neighbourhood can't
be a welcome development from the Chinese point of view," she noted.
Rice
said that having spent time recently in Asia and in Europe where the US
has had very close consultation and communication with some of its
closest allies and partners, she said: "I can tell you that they all
continue to look to the US as their principal partner, friend and source
of strength and protection. And those alliances are mutually
reinforcing and mutually beneficial.""
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