US should fight IS, not stir up maritime disputes

This year's Shangri-La Dialogue, held in Singapore over the weekend, was overshadowed by disputes in and differences over the South China Sea. Such a deviation from major security issues cannot possibly make the region's countries work together to tackle security threats and risks.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter used much of his keynote speech on Saturday to lash out at China over the South China Sea issue. Carter said the United States was deeply concerned about the scale and speed of China's reclamation work on some islands and islets, and insisted that US forces would continue to "fly, sail and operate" in the region to ensure the freedom of navigation and overflights permitted by law.

Carter's remarks are the latest US attempt to put more pressure on China over the reclamation work on Nansha Islands. Differences over reclamations started before the security forum was held. The US and the Philippines have been leading a chorus of criticisms against China's legitimate activities, raising time and again the temperature of the waters in the South China Sea.