US Airs Concerns On Chinese Reclamation Projects In The South China Sea

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter revealed that the United States is wary about the Chinese land reclamation projects in the South China Sea. Carter said that these construction projects may include a military dimension.

Carter indicated that the United States aims to maintain stability within the Asia-Pacific region as well as make certain that the status quo will be maintained. It also does not encourage the militarization of territorial disputes in the area. Carter gave his statements after his meeting with Gen Nakatani, the defense minister of Japan.

China has stepped up its efforts in completing its land reclamation projects in the South China Sea. Defense experts have indicated that the expanded projects may become a network of island fortresses, which may allow China to dominate the region. However, Chinese officials defended its projects, indicating that these were lawful and necessary.

Gen Nakatani and Ash Carter - image credit: dailymail.co.uk

Carter was in Japan to discuss a review of the defense guidelines of the US and Japan with Nakatani. The guidelines are already in its final stages and are expected to be released before the meeting of President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on April 28. This is the first review of the guidelines since 1997, and it is aimed at increasing the role of Japan in maintaining security in the East Asian region.

After the completion of the guidelines, the allies will discuss an expansion of its cooperation in surveillance, maritime security, missile defense and other security matters. Carter and Nakatani also discussed the possible relocation of the Futnma airfield in Okinawa. The base will be relocated to another part of the Japanese island since its current location is heavily populated.

While the United States does not normally take sides in territorial disputes, it aired its concerns on the Chinese land reclamation projects in the South China Sea. Carter said that the United States does not take a stand in territorial disputes but are against the “militarization of these disputes.”

Posted by James Fried on Wednesday April 08 2015, 11:30 AM EDT. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0