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February 1st, 2016 
Awake Goy 
nsnbc : The Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Monday, urged the United States to stop creating tensions and flexing its muscles in the South China Sea under the guise of “navigational freedom”.
After the U.S. Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sailed into Chinese waters, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang held a press conference, saying that:
“China always respects and supports navigational freedom in the South China Sea granted by international law to all countries, however, we oppose any infringement of China’s sovereignty, security and maritime interests using the excuse of ‘navigational freedom.”
The incident occurred over the weekend and was not the first of its kind to spark a diplomatic shooting match – luckily with words only.
On Saturday Pentagon (U.S. Defense Department) Spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said that the operation sought to challenge policies restricting navigation rights and freedom, but the United States takes no position on sovereignty claims to naturally formed land features in the South China Sea.
Lu, for his part, responded to Davis’ statement, saying that the so-called “navigation freedom plan” pursued by the United States does not accord with international law. Lu noted that the policy disregards sovereignty, security and maritime interests of coastal countries. Lu added that the United States’ policy jeopardizes the region’s peace and stability.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman denounced the “navigation freedom plan” as the United States’ attempt to pursue maritime hegemony. Lu added that this was opposed by the international community and especially by developing countries. Lu stressed that the United States’ move was both dangerous and irresponsible.
The USS Curtis Wilbur sailed, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry, 12 nautical miles of China’s Zhongjian Dao, Xisha Islands, on Saturday. The Defense Ministry responded by alerting troops on the islands. Navy vessels and warplanes were dispatched to take immediate action, to identify the vessel, and to expel the war-ship.
China is currently establishing a greater presence in the South China Sea, including a greater military presence. Part of China’s initiative includes the expansion of reefs and archipelagos into islands. The United States promotes its “navigation freedom plan” as “one of the most significant challenges yet to China’s claims around the newly constructed islands”.
China, for its part, insists that the construction does not primarily have military objectives. China stresses that the United States “flexing its military muscles” in the region is the main reason for China’s increased military presence in the region. The United States, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines consider the Chinese projects as a potential threat to one of the world’s most busy shipping lanes. It is this “perceived threat” that all affected sides, including China, have in common.
CH/L – nsnbc 01.02.2016
Source Article from http://nsnbc.me/2016/02/01/chinese-fm-us-flexing-muscles-the-main-reason-for-militarization-of-south-china-sea/
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