The US on Wednesday demanded an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation in the disputed South China Sea and asserted that turning an underwater rock into an airfield does not provide sovereignty or permit restrictions on international air or maritime transit.
Along with many of its Pacific partners and nations across the world, America is deeply concerned about the pace and scope of land reclamation in the South China Sea, the prospect of further <g data-gr-id="19">militarisation</g>, the potential for these activities which increase the risk of miscalculation or conflict among claimant states, said US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter.
"As a Pacific nation, an ally and partner to many of the nations of the region from Japan to Australia to India, the US will persist in its decades-long strategic approach," Carter said, adding that America will continue to see a peaceful resolution of all disputes.
"There should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants. We also oppose any further militarisation of disputed features. We all know there is no military solution to the South China Sea disputes," he said.
"Right now, at this critical juncture, is the time for renewed diplomacy, focused on a finding a lasting solution that protects the rights and the interests of all. As it is central to the regional security architecture, ASEAN must be a part of this effort," Carter said, days ahead of the Chinese President Xi Jinping's first state visit to the US. He said the US saw its relationship with China in terms of both cooperation and competition.