China offers possible use of reclaimed areas by third countries: U.S.

China has offered the possible use of reclaimed areas in the South China Sea by third countries, including the United States, in the future, during recent bilateral talks by naval chiefs, a U.S. Navy official said Monday.

China’s unilateral land reclamation and construction of facilities including airstrips on islands in disputed areas in the sea have drawn controversy and protest by some Southeast Asian countries which also claim them.

Adm. Wu Shengli, commander in chief of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, made the potential offer during a videoconference with Adm. Jonathan Greenert, U.S. chief of naval operations, on Wednesday last week, according to the official.

It was the first time for the U.S. side to hear such an offer from the Chinese side, the official said.

The U.S. official said Greenert “did not endorse or validate to Adm. Wu or his Navy that we would use the islands,” noting the U.S. side regarded Wu’s proposal as an unofficial offer which was not made through the formal diplomatic channel.

Greenert “cautioned Adm. Wu (against) increasing uncertainty over the use of the islands and urged Wu and his Navy to clarify their intentions regarding the use,” the official said.

The conversation between Greenert and Wu was by no means confrontational, the official added.

The Chinese Defense Ministry said earlier Wu told Greenert in the videoconference that the land reclamation projects do not pose any threat to the freedom of navigation and flight but enable China to fulfill the responsibility of ensuring safety of international waters.

Wu also told Greenert that the construction of various facilities helps raise China’s capability in weather forecast and maritime rescue activities, according to the ministry.

==Kyodo

Category: Daily Witness, National