. | . |
G7 calls for restraint in Asian maritime disputes by Staff Writers Hiroshima, Japan (AFP) April 11, 2016 Group of Seven foreign ministers on Monday expressed concern about maritime disputes in Asia, as worries grow in the region over China's territorial and military ambitions. Beijing lays claim to almost all of the South China Sea despite conflicting partial claims from Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines. It has constructed artificial islands in the area in recent months as it asserts its sovereignty. Japan, meanwhile, has its own dispute with China in the East China Sea over uninhabited islands that it administers but that are also claimed by Beijing. "We are concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas, and emphasise the fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes," the G7 ministers said in a statement after their two-day meeting in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The Southeast Asian countries and Washington fear China could impose military controls over the entire South China Sea. Beijing has in recent months built massive structures including radar systems and an airstrip over reclaimed reefs and outcrops. "We express our strong opposition to any intimidating, coercive or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions", the ministers said. They did not mention China or any other country by name. US Secretary of State John Kerry and his counterparts from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan issued the Statement on Maritime Security at the meeting. The G7 also urged "all states to refrain from such actions as land reclamations" and "building of outposts... for military purposes". Disputes should be solved "in good faith and in accordance with international law", including dispute settlement mechanisms and arbitration, the group added. Meeting host Japan and the US have repeatedly expressed alarm over Chinese moves, while Beijing has voiced suspicion that they are using the G7 to criticise it. An international tribunal in The Hague is preparing to decide a case brought by the Philippines in connection with the South China Sea. Beijing has refused to take part and says it does not recognise the tribunal's authority. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said he had not seen the G7 statement and refrained from commenting directly on it, but warned the G7 to avoid being biased towards China. "If the G7 wants to continue to play an important role in the international community, it should maintain an objective attitude", he told a regular press briefing.
Related Links Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |