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By Daniel Uria
United States Defense Secretary Ash Carter warned that China's actions in the South China Sea could lead to the country "erecting a Great Wall of self-isolation." Carter stated that "countries across the region" expressed concerns over "growing anxiety" brought about by China during a time that countries in the Asia-Pacific region were coming together and networking. He also insisted that the attention to the China was brought about by the country's actions and not a singular "focus on China."Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
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U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter warned China against "concerning" actions in the South China Sea.
While speaking at ISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore Carter applauded the Asia-Pacific region for "historic change" that was considered positive, but expressed concerns over "growing anxiety" brought about by China.
"China's actions in the South China Sea are isolating it, at a time when the entire region is coming together and networking," he said. "Unfortunately, if these actions continue, China could end up erecting a Great Wall of self-isolation."
Carter added that "countries across the region" voiced their concerns about China's actions not only in the sea but also in cyberspace and the region's airspace.
He went on to say the United States was "not a claimant" in the South China Sea disputes nor does it hold a position on who claims sovereignty over the land features, but said the United States remains committed to upholding peaceful navigation and overflight in the area.
"As I affirmed here last year and America's Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea have demonstrated, the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, so that everyone in the region can do the same," he said.
According to CNN, Carter reiterated this stance when asked about the U.S.'s focus on China by a Chinese professor.
"It's not a focus on China. It's a focus on principle," he said. "It's China's actions that are causing that attention."
While speaking at ISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore Carter applauded the Asia-Pacific region for "historic change" that was considered positive, but expressed concerns over "growing anxiety" brought about by China.
"China's actions in the South China Sea are isolating it, at a time when the entire region is coming together and networking," he said. "Unfortunately, if these actions continue, China could end up erecting a Great Wall of self-isolation."
Carter added that "countries across the region" voiced their concerns about China's actions not only in the sea but also in cyberspace and the region's airspace.
He went on to say the United States was "not a claimant" in the South China Sea disputes nor does it hold a position on who claims sovereignty over the land features, but said the United States remains committed to upholding peaceful navigation and overflight in the area.
"As I affirmed here last year and America's Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea have demonstrated, the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, so that everyone in the region can do the same," he said.
According to CNN, Carter reiterated this stance when asked about the U.S.'s focus on China by a Chinese professor.
"It's not a focus on China. It's a focus on principle," he said. "It's China's actions that are causing that attention."
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