(VOVworld) – US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has said that China’s island building activities in the East Sea were “out of step” with the regional consensus. Speaking to the media in Hawaii on Wednesday, Carter said China’s actions are bringing countries in the region together in new ways and are increasing their demands for American engagement in the Asia-Pacific.
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| United States Defense Secretary Ashton Carter |
He called for an immediate end to island-building by China and other countries in the East Sea, urging the participants to stop militarising the dispute and find a peaceful solution. He said the US will meet the demand of claimants by sending aircraft and warships to the areas defined by international law.
Also that day, in a telephone call with his Pilipino counterpart, Voltaire Gazmin, Cater repeated his appeal to all relevant countries to seek a peaceful solution to all disputes and stop further militarizing the situation. He affirmed the US’s close relations with and support for the Philippines.
Also on Thursday, the European Council expressed its concern over China’s efforts to build two lighthouses on the Gac Ma and Chau Vien islands, which are part of Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago, which China is illegally occupying. EC president Donald Tusk said China’s island building in the East Sea would complicate the situation. He reiterated the EC’s view that relevant countries have to restrain from threatening or using force and seek peaceful solutions.