The Pentagon stated Thursday it was “concerned” about Chinese military exercises round a disputed archipelago within the South China Sea, noting the maneuvers will “further destabilize” the area.
“The Department of Defense is concerned about the People’s Republic of China (PRC) decision to conduct military exercises around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on July 1-5,” the Pentagon stated in an announcement.
The activities “further destabilise the situation” within the space claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan, it stated.
Such exercises additionally violate Beijing’s “commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to avoid activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability.”
The declaration, signed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) international locations, stated that each one events would “avoid activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability.”
The exercises “are the latest in a long string” of Chinese actions “to assert unlawful maritime claims and disadvantage its Southeast Asian neighbors in the South China Sea.”
The Pentagon urged “all parties to exercise restraint and not undertake military activities that might aggravate disputes” within the area, and stated it will proceed to watch Chinese military exercise.
The Chinese exercises are happening amid an increase in US-China tensions over the novel coronavirus epidemic, during which Washington has accused Beijing of hiding and downplaying the preliminary outbreak within the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan.
Washington rejects Beijing’s territorial declare to a lot of the South China Sea, together with the Paracels.
The area is believed to have helpful oil and fuel deposits.
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Vaibhav Kapoor