United States Demands Immediate halt to SCS reclamations

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The United States on Saturday called for an “immediate and lasting halt“ to reclamation works in disputed waters in the South China Sea, saying Beijing‘s  behaviour in the area was “out of step” with international norms.

United States Demands Immediate halt to SCS reclamations

Freedom of navigation in SCS should not be abused: China, US Demands Immediate Halt to South China Sea Reclamations

“First, we want a peaceful resolution of all disputes. To that end, there should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants,” US defense secretary Ashton Carter told a high-level security conference in Singapore.

“ We also oppose any further militarization of disputed features.“ he said.

stressing that US forces would continue entering what he called international waters and airspace in the tense region. Carter, speaking at the annual Shangri-La dialogue involving defence ministers and top military officials from China. Europe and other Asia-Pacific countries, added that “with its actions in the South China Sea. China is out of step with both the international rules and norms“.

He acknowledged that other claimants have developed outposts of differing scope and degree, including Vietnam with 48, the Philippines with eight. Malaysia with five and Taiwan with one.

“Yet. one country has gone much faster than any other. “China has reclaimed over 2.000 acres, more than all other claimants combined and more than in the entire history of the region. And China did so in only the last 18 months.” Carter said.

“It is unclear how much farther China will go. That is why this stretch of water has become the source of tension in the region and from-page news around the world.”

This is all about US Demands Immediate halt to SCS reclamations – Article taken from Google News

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