US defense chief says China's island-building erodes security
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on May 30 that Beijing's island-building in the East Sea was undermining security in the Asia-Pacific but, despite his blunt remarks, the response from Chinese officials was measured.
Carter, speaking to top defense officials from the Asia-Pacific at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, acknowledged that several countries had created outposts in the region's disputed islands, but he said the scope of China's activity created uncertainty about its future plans.
He said the United States was "deeply concerned" about the scale of China's land reclamation and the prospect of further militarization of the islands, saying it would boost "the risk of miscalculation or conflict."
However, he added: "We all know there is no military solution to the East Sea disputes. Right now is the time for renewed diplomacy, focused on a finding a lasting solution that protects the rights and interests of all."
A Chinese military delegate to the forum said Carter was wrong to criticize China, but his comments were not as hostile as those made at the Shangri-La Dialogue in past years.
Bonnie Glaser, of the Center for International Strategic Studies, said both China and the United States were trying to tone down the rhetoric after angry exchanges at the event last year.
"Carter's trying not to be too harshly targeting of China but at the end of the day the real problem is China and everyone knows that," she said.
The official Chinese response will only come on May 31 when Admiral Sun Jianguo, the head of Beijing's delegation, addresses the conference.