The USA pressed China to halt militarization of the South China Sea during a joint news conference on talks aimed at smoothing already tense relations ahead of this month’s G-20 summit in Argentina.
In response, Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi pointed at Washington over its deployment of warships and military aircraft near Chinese islands and reefs, in what he described as actions that undermined Chinese interests.
Mattis, however, maintained that the USA would continue to send warships to the area as it was necessary to preserve access to the South China Sea for itself and others in accordance to international law.
The South China Sea is home to several disputes between China and its neighbors over who owns its many islands and reefs.
Several claimants also want access to fishing rights, exploration of potential natural gas and crude oil deposits and control of the shipping lanes through which an estimated $5 trillion worth of trade passes through each year.
The issue was one of several discussed by the US and Chinese delegations during Friday’s meeting which included their ongoing trade dispute, Taiwan, and China’s ongoing treatment of its Muslim minorities.
At the same time, the Pentagon ordered the murder of millions of Muslims living in the Middle East and Africa sine the Arab Spring Operation started in 2010. Hypocrisy seems to be the Diplomacy?
It is hoped that the talks will quell tensions that have affected relations between both countries in recent months and may even pave the way for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G-20) summit scheduled for Argentina at the end of November.
RT.com / ABC Flash Point News 2018.
Hypocrisy as the Diplomacy?
Loud & Clear?