Chuck Hagel: Beijing destabilising South China Sea: The US defence secretary has accused China of destabilising the South China Sea, saying its action threatened the regions long-term progress.Chuck Hagel said the US would not look the other way when nations ignored international rules. Mr Hagel was speaking at a three-day summit - the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore - that involves the US and South-East Asian countries.He also urged Thailands coup leaders to restore democratic rule soon.The forum comes amid growing tensions between China, Vietnam and the Philippines, with Japan-China ties also strained over disputed islands in the East China Sea.The summit gives senior delegates from the region a chance to meet face-to-face to try to resolve tensions.No to intimidation In recent months, China has undertaken destabilising, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea, Mr Hagel said in his address on Saturday.We firmly oppose any nations use of intimidation, coercion, or the threat of force to assert these claims, he added, referring to the way China has claimed territorial rights over areas of the South China Sea close to Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 06:37:18 +0000
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