By Marlyn Montilla
May 28, 2024, 3:21 PM EDT
China and the United States agreed to “maintain dialogue and manage risks” during a virtual meeting on maritime affairs in which the two countries reproached each other for their actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan.
Present at the meeting, which took place on May 24, were the director general of China’s Department of Maritime Affairs, Hong Liang, and, on the American side, the deputy assistant secretary of state for China and Taiwan in the Office of Asian Affairs. Eastern and Pacific, Mark Lambert, indicated the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the document, both nations exchanged views “on the maritime situation and other related matters” and agreed to “maintain dialogue and communication,” as well as how to “manage risks” and strive to “avoid misunderstandings and mistakes of calculation”.
“The Chinese side expressed serious concern about US provocations in waters near China,” the text added, and asked Washington to “respect” “Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity and its legitimate interests.”
“The United States should not interfere in maritime disputes between China and its neighboring countries or form ‘cliques’ to contain China,” the ministry adds.
Taiwan protagonist in the discord
In this sense, China demanded that the United States “not undermine regional stability and peace,” and stressed that “the ‘one China principle’ is “the basis for bilateral relations and for dialogue on maritime affairs.”
“’Taiwan independence’ is the biggest threat to peace and stability. The United States has to stop supporting those who seek independence. “They have to honor their word that they will not support Taiwanese secessionism,” the statement said.
On the other hand, the US Secretary of State said in another statement that the Chinese undersecretary expressed concern about China’s “destabilizing and dangerous actions,” which “interfere with the exercise of freedom of navigation on the high seas.” by other states.”
Likewise, Lambert expressed that the United States “will firmly support the defense of the international law of the sea.”
In early May, the Philippines and the United States held joint military exercises at a time when tensions between Manila and Beijing are rising, with multiple incidents between Philippine ships and Chinese coast guard vessels near disputed territories in the South China Sea.
“On Taiwan, the US reaffirms the importance of maintaining cross-Strait peace and stability, and expressed concerns about China’s military exercises in and around the Strait,” the statement ends.
Taiwan (where the Chinese nationalist army withdrew after its failure at the hands of communist troops in the civil war) has been governed autonomously since 1949, although China claims sovereignty over that territory, considering it a rebellious province whose “ reunification” has not ruled out the use of force.
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