United States defense Secretary Ashton Carter cautioned China that construction of islet and shoal claimed by the Philippines in the West Philippine sea (South China Sea) would prompt the United States and other nations to make a decisive move if not stop.
An “action being taken” by the United States and other allied nations to act with the use of military forces.
Carter said, at a security summit in Singapore that Beijing risks building a “Great Wall of self-isolation” with its military expansion in the disputed waters, yet he additionally proposed stronger bilateral security cooperation to lessen the dangers of mishap.
“I hope that this development doesn’t occur because it will result in actions being taken both by the United States, and actions being taken by others in the region that will have the effect of not only increasing tensions but isolating China,” Carter said when asked about Scarborough Shoal in a forum also attended by senior Chinese military officials.
This is in connection with the report of Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post that China plans to establish an outpost on the shoal, (Scarborough shoal) located 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the Philippines, which considers it part of its exclusive economic zone.
A Chinese official at the office of international military cooperation headed by Rear Admiral Guan Youfei quickly fired back at Secretary Carter’s remarks, saying to the journalists that U.S. reflected a “Cold War mentality” that any sanctions against China will not succeed and will “result in failure.” - Carl E.
