Chi raps US interventions in Asia at regiol forum

BEIJING, Oct 11: Beijing rapped Washington on Tuesday for its interventions in Asia, as tensions grow between the two powers over territorial disputes in the South Chi Sea and how to handle increasingly erratic North Korea. Speaking at the 7th annual Xiangshan regiol defence forum in Beijing, Chang Wanguan, Chi’s defence minister, levied thinly veiled criticism at recent US involvement in Asia’s trouble spots.

Washington has conducted freedom of vigation operations close to artificial islands Beijing has built in the South Chi Sea, and has agreed to deploy a missile defence system in South Korea following repeated nuclear and missile tests by Beijing’s ally Pyongyang. “Some countries seek absolute military superiority, ceaselessly strengthen their military alliances, and seek their own absolute security at the costs of other countries’ security,” Chang told defence officials and academics at the meeting. The US under President Barack Obama has sought to “pivot” to Asia by increasing military and economic engagement in the region, raising concerns in Beijing that Washington is working to contain the Asian giant’s growing power. (IANS)