Militarization of the East Sea does not legitimize violations of sovereignty

International media report that China has built a military helicopter base on Quang Hoa (Duncan) Island and deployed an HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system on Phu Lam (Woody) Island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago. A US intelligence source says China has deployed jet fighters to Woody Island.

The world community has decried China’s activities through government statements and articles in the mass media. US Secretary of State John Kerry said before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Washington encourages parties to resolve sovereignty disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures, which are not served by militarizing islands there. John McCain, President of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized China’s behavior in Asia-Pacific. Jack Reed, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said China has no intention of being a responsible party in Asia-Pacific. The US Defense Department called on all parties to abide by international law.

Japan, Australia, and India have condemned China’s actions. Japan’s Kyodo news agency said Tokyo is deeply concerned over China’s deployment of an advanced surface-to-air missile system in Hoang Sa. 

In a press briefing after meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called on all parties to resolve disputes peacefully. At the 8th India-ASEAN Dialogue in New Delhi on February 19, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj asked Beijing to avoid unilateral actions which could increase regional tension. She stressed the importance of guaranteeing safe passage in the East Sea.

Peter Kreuzer of the Peace Research Institute in Hessen, Germany, said the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is the ultimate legal foundation for ensuring international order at sea. China has applied its own concept of freedom of navigation to defend its militarization of the East Sea.