China tells US to “speak and act cautiously” on maritime dispute
December 9, 2014, 12:13 pm

This photo taken on Aug. 18, 2014 shows a test of the Lingshui 17-2 gas well to produce natural gas by China’s largest producer of offshore oil and gas CNOOC on the South China Sea [Xinhua]

“The document ignores basic facts and international legal principles,” said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei at a daily press briefing in Beijing.

He was reacting to a US State Department document, “Limits in the Seas — China: Maritime Claims in the South China Sea” issued Friday.

“The United States has violated its commitment of not holding position and not taking sides in the South China Sea issue. Such a move is inconducive to the resolution of the South China Sea disputes and the peace and stability of the South China Sea,” Hong said.

China claims about 90 per cent of the South China Sea.

The State Department report says China’s claims were both unclear and inconsistent.

China’s sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea have been upheld by successive Chinese governments, Hong said.

China had always upheld resolving the issue based on direct talks with the countries involved “on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law”, the Chinese spokesperson said in Beijing.

“We urge the United States to abide by its commitment, speak and act cautiously, and view and deal with the issue in a fair and objective way,” Hong said.

According to official Chinese data, the South China Sea covers 3.55 million square km.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam and other nations lay contesting claims to these waters.

China exercises jurisdiction over about 2 million square km of the maritime territory.

China on Sunday slammed attempts by “outsiders” to brand Beijing as a law-breaker.

Recent months have seen flare-ups in disputes over rival offshore claims.

Anti-Chinese riots erupted in Vietnam in May after China’s state oil company CNOOC deployed an oil rig in waters also claimed by Vietnam, which has also accused China of harassing its fishermen.

Relations between China and the Philippines have also been tested in recent months by their dispute over a different area.

China has reiterated its position of not participating in the South China Sea arbitration process initiated by Philippines at a Hague-based Tribunal in a position paper published by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday.

TBP and Agencies