Chi asks US to be cautious on South Chi Sea

Beijing, Jan 24: Chi on Tuesday asked the US to watch its words and actions on the disputed South Chi Sea after Washington said it won’t allow Beijing to take over the energy-rich waters. “The US is not a claimant in the related disputes in the South Chi Sea,” Chi’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was quoted as saying by South Chi Morning Post. “We urge the US side to respect the reality, to be cautious in its remarks and actions, so as to avoid undermining the peace and stability in the region,” said Hua.

Hua’s remarks followed White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer saying that the US would stop Beijing in taking over the intertiol waters in the South Chi Sea.

According to The Guardian, Spice said the US would “make sure that we protect our interests”. Tensions have risen between Chi and the US over the world’s busiest commercial sea route, after new American President Dold Trump openly challenged Beijing’s sovereignty over waters — a stance avoided by his predecessor Barack Obama.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the US would block Chi’s access to the islands in the South Chi Sea, infuriating Beijing. Trade worth $5 trillion passes through the South Chi Sea every year. South Chi Sea has become the world’s most contested region, with Chi and five other littoral states laying claims to it. The zone has become highly militarised with claimant countries installing weapons on the islands claimed by them. Of all, Beijing claims almost the entire body even though the claims were rejected by an intertiol court last year. (IANS)