China's Defence Minister Chang Wanquan on Tuesday urged the United States not to take further actions that threaten China's sovereignty and security interest.
Meeting on the sidelines of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus, Chang told U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter that during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States in September, Xi agreed with U.S. President Barack Obama on continuing efforts in building a new type of major--country relations between the two countries, reaffirming the correct directions for future development of China--U.S. relations.
Both countries should work on the implementation of the consensus between the two leaders and push forward the development of China--U.S. military ties in a constructive manner, Chang said.
However, China firmly opposes U.S. recent actions of sending a navy vessel without China's authorization into waters adjacent to the islands of China's Nansha Islands, which threatens China's sovereignty and security interests and undermines regional peace and stability, he said.
The Chinese defense minister stressed that islands in the South China Sea have been China's territory since ancient times and are the heritage of the Chinese ancestors, and China has no need to demonstrate its sovereignty over the islands by construction.
As the South China Sea serves as an important sea--lane for China's economic exchange with the outside world, China has more need than other countries to maintain its peace, safety and stability. This has never been a problem with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and no countries should threaten the interests of the others with the excuses of freedom of navigation, Chang said.
He further said that the issue of the South China Sea concerns China's core interest and the Chinese people and military will not allow anyone to infringe on China's sovereignty and related interests.
Chang reaffirmed China's unwavering commitment to keeping peace and security in the South China Sea, solving disputes peacefully by bilateral negotiations between the parties directly involved and safeguarding national sovereignty, safety and development interests.
The Chinese defense minister urged the United States not to take further dangerous actions that threaten China's sovereignty and security interests.
As the military ties are an important part of the overall China--U.S. relations, the military and defence departments of both countries bear the responsibility to implement the consensus reached between the two leaders, deepens exchanges, increase mutual trust, avoid misjudgement and join hands in maintaining the overall China--U.S. relations as well as promote regional peace and stability.
For his part, Carter said that the United States attaches great importance to the U.S.--China military relations, and is willing to enhance cooperation between the two countries in all areas, maintain high--level exchange of visits, keep dialogue and communication, explore cooperation in cyber security, and deepen understanding and trust between the armies of the two countries.
Carter said that the United States supports security cooperation mechanisms like the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus, and backs the efforts to jointly build a peaceful and stable regional security environment.
He said the United States doesn't take sides in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea, hoping all sides can implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the rules of related international laws.
