US' partiality in disputes increases regional tension

China firmly upholds her sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. [Photo/Xinhua]

The remarks by US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter about South China Sea, made at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, were counterproductive to managing the disputes and maintaining stability in the waters.

In his speech delivered at the security forum, the US defense chief time and again pointed an accusing finger at China's island building activities in the Nansha Islands, saying the United States was "deeply concerned" about China's land reclamation and the prospect of further militarization of the islands, which, the US believes, would boost "the risk of miscalculation or conflict".

In fact, it is the US meddling in the South China Sea that is heightening the possibility of strategic miscalculation in the waters and raised the prospect of conflict.

On May 20, a US spy plane flew over some of China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea where China is conducting reclamation work.

The close encounter between the US and Chinese militaries has strained ties between the two countries and drawn wide concern from the region and beyond. The US has vowed to continue such provocative close-in military maneuvers, which are blatant acts of muscle flexing that threaten peace and stability in the waters.

To fish for US interests in the region, the US defense chief also tried to sow discord between China and other countries.

While acknowledging that other claimants, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, have built outposts, he said "one country has gone much farther and much faster than any other"; clearly referring to China.

Carter should be reminded that China is building on its own islands and islets, and, over the years, China has exercised the utmost restraint while others have built facilities, including military ones, on islands and islets they have seized from China - the US has remained silent about that.

The US' partiality, is not only unfair to China, it is also brewing trouble in the already troubled waters. It is no exaggeration to say that since the US started meddling in the maritime disputes, the situation has become increasingly complicated and volatile. The US needs to take a more constructive attitude to help maintain peace and stability in the waters.

As a country that has a stake in peace and stability in the South China Sea, China remains committed to resolving the disputes with parties concerned through negotiations and dialogues.

As an outside force that has a stake in peace and stability in the region, the US should adopt a more constructive attitude to help calm the waters rather than trying to stir them further.