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Respect our sea rights, sovereignty-China

By Nidz Godino

“Taiwan question is  very core of China’s interests and China’s core interests brook no compromise… Chinese People’s Liberation Army will never let any ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities and external supports go unchecked,” Chinese defense minister Admiral Dong Jun was quoted by  embassy as saying talked with his US counterpart earlier to relay Beijing’s appeal to Washington that it respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in  South China Sea, saying President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden have  shared commitment to improving bilateral relations.

Chinese embassy said  video conversation between Dong  and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III took place on Tuesday. Based on  embassy statement,  meeting appeared to focus more on  Taiwan issue. There was no direct mention of  West Philippine Sea issue. It was not clear who initiated  video meeting.

The Chinese defense chief also noted  current situation in  South China Sea is generally stable, and that regional countries have  willingness, wisdom and capability to resolve conflicts.

“ US should clearly recognize China’s firm position, earnestly respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in South China Sea and take practical actions to maintain regional peace and  stability of  relations between  two countries and  two militaries,  military domain plays  pivotal role in implementing  consensus reached by  heads of state, stabilizing  development of bilateral relations and preventing major crises… two militaries should explore ways to get along with each other, taking peace, stability and trust as  basic principles of their exchanges and build  military-to-military relationship featuring no conflict, no confrontation, open and pragmatic cooperation and gradual accumulation of mutual trust based on equality and mutual respect, so as to truly serve as  stable cornerstone for  development of relations between  two countries,” Dong said.

Earlier, Beijing said US actions and statements are  ones causing problems in the region.  Chinese embassy, earlier this month, even mocked  US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, saying “it will not move us bit from our will and resolve.”

It was made in response to fresh assurances from Biden that any attack on  Philippine aircraft, vessel or armed forces in  SCS would trigger the treaty.

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“US is not  party to  South China Sea issue and is not in  position of interfering in issues between China and the Philippines,”  Chinese embassy said.


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