The United States Department of Defense said Thursday that Chinese test launches of ballistic missiles in the South China Sea were a threat to peace and security in the region.
Confirming reports that China had launched at least four ballistic missiles during military exercises around the Paracel Islands, the Pentagon said the move called into question the country’s 2002 commitment to prevent provocative activities in the disputed seas.
“Conducting military exercises over controversial territory in the South China Sea is counterproductive to reduce tensions and maintain stability,” the Pentagon said in a statement. “The PRCs actions, including missile tests, further destabilize the situation in the South China Sea. “The PRC – as the People’s Republic of China – is the official name of the country.
“Such exercises are also in violation of PRC obligations under the 2002 Declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea to prevent activities that complicate or escalate conflicts and affect peace and stability,” the statement added. Pentagon ta.
In recent decades, China has built military installations on several disputed reefs and outlying areas in the South China Sea to assert its claim over much of the area. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Indonesia also have maritime claims at sea.
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The South China Morning Post reported earlier on Thursday that China had launched a DF-26B ballistic missile from Qinghai province and a DF-21D medium-range missile from Zhejiang province, following an alleged US spy flight by Chinese indicated “no-” entered. flight zone “in an area where life-threatening marine drilling takes place.
China described the flight of the US spy plane into the area as a “provocative action”.
‘Airplane killer’
The Pentagon said the Chinese military’s August 23-29 military exercises at the Paracels – which it calls the Xisha Islands – were “the latest in a long string of PRC actions to assert illegal maritime claims and their Southeast Asian to approach neighbors. “
It said the US had urged China in July to reduce its “militarization and coercion” in the region.
Instead, “the PRC chose to escalate its exercise activities by firing ballistic missiles,” it said.
The DF-26B was formally unveiled earlier this month, and is capable of hitting moving targets at sea. The Global Times, a state-run tabloid, called it the “plane killer”.
It is unfair for the US to impose sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals for involvement in construction activities in their own country.
pic.twitter.com/3jpaN9z8v9– Lijian Zhao @ (@ zlj517) August 27, 2020
Earlier on Thursday, Beijing criticized Washington over its blacklisting of two dozen Chinese companies involved in building and supplying Chinese-based bases in China.
“The words of the United States are interfering in China’s internal affairs … it is completely tyrannical logic and power politics,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.
“China will take firm action to preserve the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals,” he said.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
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