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The topic of the South China Sea occupied the central position during the Shangri-La Dialogue 2016 that took place in Singapore. Forum attendee, Russian military expert Vasily Kashin, spoke to Sputnik about the provisions of the forum and stance of regional powers regarding the South China Sea dispute.
Today, a number of large and powerful US allies around the world, including the UK and France are involved in the South China Sea dispute. They claim that China should adopt “rule of international law,” Kashin explained.
European diplomats justify this involvement by saying that their interest lays in the “freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea, as well as the fact that China's refusal to accept arbitration decision would set a dangerous precedent for other regions of the world's oceans, including the Arctic.
According to the military expert, the statement about the Arctic sounds like a hint referring to differences in the delimitation of the exclusive economic zones in the Arctic, between Russia and countries of Northern Europe and North America.
Talking about the US stance on South China Sea dispute, Kashin said that so far the US cannot directly put pressure on China, as it is limited by the fact that the United States itself has not yet ratified the UNCLOS.
The United States, however, has many allies that have ratified the Convention. The main argument put forward by outside powers to justify its involvement in the issue is their interest in securing the freedom of navigation.
But, as the expert points out, at least at this stage, China fully recognizes the freedom of trade shipping in its exclusive economic zone.
It also recognizes the right of passage of warships. At the same time, the Chinese interpretation of UNCLOS imposes restrictions on foreign military activities in China's exclusive economic zone, including reconnaissance, exercises, etc.
Thus, the inclusion of foreign ships and aircraft radar, electronic intelligence assets and deploying antennas towed sonar, etc. result in backlash from China.
Talking about the forum itself, Vasily Kashin said that during the conference statements by the US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter sounded extremely harsh.
His speech focused on two notions — the absolute superiority of the US military in the region which no one can possibly challenge for at least a few decades and the US’ success in building alliances.
The defense ministers of Britain and France stressed their intention to increase their military presence in the Asia-Pacific region but according to the expert, the speeches of many ASEAN member countries were critical of the Chinese position but at least they sounded more conciliatory.
Despite all the pressure, the Chinese representatives did not lose their confidence. They showed that China does not intend to back down and will continue to defend its position. The Chinese General, Yunchzhu Yao of the Academy of Military Sciences gave an effective response to all the opponent’s claims and occasionally very skillfully exposed their performances as “ridiculous”.
The statement by Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the Central Military Commission of the PRC, Admiral Sun Jianguo, staunchly demonstrated China’s intention to resist the pressure. He did however maintain his stance on developing economic and political cooperation with countries of the region.
Despite some positive elements in the United States and its ally’s relations with China, the overall conference demonstrated growing contradictions and the intent of the parties involved to firmly defend their principled position on key issues for the region's delineation of the South China Sea, Kashin concluded.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.