 |
| US SecDef: Ash Carter |
Wendell Minnick
SINGAPORE — US Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s opening speech at the 15th annual Asia Security Summit was clear: China's activities are spurring newfound tensions and unrest in the Asia-Pacific region.
“In all of our interactions with our Chinese counterparts, the United States consistently encourages China to take actions that uphold – and do not undercut – the shared principles that have served so many in Asia-Pacific so well.”
Commonly referred to as the Shangri-La Dialogue, run by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the annual three-day summit has become an unofficial conclave for regional defense ministers, along with European and US military officials, to openly discuss and debate security matters.
Carter said that China’s activities in the South China Sea, cyberspace, and regional airspace, have created growing anxiety in the region. “Indeed, in the South China Sea, China has taken some expansive and unprecedented actions, that have generated concerns about China’s strategic intentions.”
The result is that countries in the region have been taking action publicly and privately, at the highest levels, to voice concerns. “As a result, China’s actions in the South China Sea are isolating it, at a time when the entire region is coming together and networking, Carter said. "Unfortunately, if these actions continue, China could end up erecting a Great Wall of self-isolation.”
Carter emphasized the right of the international community to exercise the freedom of navigation and overflight, and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance of international law.
Read the full story at DefenseNews