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SINGAPORE – National Security Adviser John Bolton said the United States would oppose any agreement between China and other claimants in the South China Sea restricting the free passage to international ships and that US Navy ships would continue to navigate these waters.
Mr. Bolton's remarks served as a warning to Southeast Asian leaders preparing for a regional summit in Singapore this week, particularly in the Philippines, which is currently in talks with Beijing over joint exploration of natural resources in the disputed area.
In meetings aimed at developing a code of conduct for the South China Sea this year, China has attempted to guarantee a veto over South-East Asian countries hosting military exercises with troops. other countries in disputed waters.
Such an agreement could potentially limit US military engagement with countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Beijing also urged its southern neighbors to develop the region's resources only with other countries in the region, according to people familiar with the draft text, which has been in preparation for years.
The Chinese authorities have previously refused to comment on the ongoing talks. Security analysts believe that Southeast Asian countries will likely not accept any proposals preventing them from participating in exercises with the United States.
Mr. Bolton said that the United States welcomed the negotiations. At a press conference in Singapore, he described them as an asset.
But he stressed that "the result must be mutually acceptable, and also for all countries that have legitimate maritime and maritime rights over transit and other associated rights that we do not want to see breached."
USS Ronald Reagan and US Milius, guided missile destroyer, perform an exercise in the South China Sea.
Photo:
Mass Communication Specialist 2n / Associated Press
China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea, has built several small atolls and built military bases there, giving it a strategic advantage over the smallest claimants in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Taiwan also has competing claims, while countries such as Japan and South Korea rely on shipping routes to meet almost all of their oil needs.
The US military responded by conducting regular patrols that challenge China's sovereignty claims by navigating nearby or flying over the reconquered islands, resulting in several tense contacts with Chinese military ships. Mr. Bolton said Tuesday that the United States would continue to accelerate the pace of these missions and increase their military spending as well as the level of engagement with other countries in the region in order to strengthen his position.
Some Southeast Asian leaders have decided to engage in Beijing, in the hope that cooperation with China would bring at least an economic benefit.
Among them is Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is expected to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to Manila next week. It is unclear whether the two leaders will announce the conclusion of an agreement on joint exploration of resources.
A broader code of conduct between China and the countries of Southeast Asia seems somewhat distant.
In a speech delivered Tuesday morning in Singapore, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Beijing hoped the agreement "would be finalized in three years", thus nullifying any hope of substantial progress by the conclusion of the summit of leaders of this country. week.
Heads of Government from 10 countries in Southeast Asia are meeting this week in Singapore for an annual summit and will be joined by leaders from eight other countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Vice President Mike Pence .
China, in particular, is trying to rally a free trade pact called regional global economic partnership, which includes the nations of Southeast Asia, China, India, Australia , Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. Pact negotiations accelerated after President Trump pulled the US out of a competing trans-Pacific trade deal that excluded China. Li said on Tuesday that negotiations will continue next year.
Mr. Bolton said the US is instead trying to further develop bilateral trade with key partners, such as Japan.
"I think the level of diplomatic activity has increased," he said. "I think this strategy is still being developed, but it is very well received and we continue to pursue it."
Write to Jake Maxwell Watts at [email protected]
