China's President Xi Jinping
on Saturday promised to safeguard freedom of navigation in the South
China Sea, where tensions have flared over overlapping claims and the
U.S. Navy's moves to challenge Beijing's massive island building.
Speaking at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore,
Xi said that there has never been any problem with freedom of
navigation and overflight and "nor will there ever be in the future."
He said that China needs unimpeded passage through the waters more than anyone else.
"We have absolute confidence and capability in maintaining the peace and
stability. This can be done through negotiations and the establishment
of reasonable maritime rights," Xi said.
China criticized last week's patrol of the USS Lassen, a guided-missile
destroyer, within the 12-nautical-mile (22-kilometer) territorial limit
of Subi Reef, one of the South China Sea features that have been
claimed, expanded and reinforced by China over objections of other
claimants, particularly the Philippines.
The U.S. Navy said it wanted to demonstrate the principle of freedom of navigation.
China has called it a "deliberate provocation," and sent two warships to
shadow the U.S. vessel and issue warnings. Although China labeled the
action illegal, international law allows warships to transit other
countries' territorial seas under the principle of "innocent passage."
In an apparent reference to the U.S., Xi said that China welcomes
countries from outside the region to participate "in the peace and
development of Asia and leave a positive influence."
China "is committed to working with countries with direct stake in the
issue to solve the disputes on the basis of respect of historical facts,
according to international laws and through discussions and
negotiations," Xi said.
The U.S. does not recognize the man-made features as legitimate islands
entitled to territorial seas, and U.S. officials say they plan to patrol
near them on a regular basis to enforce that view. China has reclaimed
approximately 2,000 acres (809 hectares) of land in the Spratly island
chain since last year, and is now adding harbors, housing and airstrips.
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