China minister cautions US

Minister Wu Xi of the Chinese Embassy delivers a speech in George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, April 4, 2014. [Photo/chinaembassy.org]

Maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region serves the common interests of China, the US and other regional countries, Minister Wu Xi of the Chinese Embassy in the US said in a speech on Friday. Issues such as the East China Sea and South China Sea concern China's sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Speaking at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Wu focused on building a new model of major country relations between China and the US.

Last June, President Xi Jinping and President Obama had a historic meeting in Sunnylands in California, Wu noted. "They agreed that China and the US should work together to build a new model of major country relations. It provides strategic direction and guidance to the development of the bilateral relations," Wu said.

Over the past year, great achievements have been made in China-US relations. "It takes the concerted efforts by both sides to translate the new model of major country relations into reality, a relationship that is free from conflict, or confrontation, based on mutual respect, and aimed at win-win cooperation," Wu said.

China and the US should keep up close high-level contacts, expand economic, trade and investment cooperation, increase mil-to-mil exchanges, carry out positive interaction in the Asia-Pacific, and enhance consultation and coordination on international and global issues.

Regarding sovereignty issues in the East and South China Seas, Minister Wu said, "It is our hope that the US will approach the relevant issues in an objective, just and balanced way. The US side has stated time and again that it does not take sides on sovereignty issues. But recent remarks by some US officials are apparently not in line with this position. They sided with the Philippines, and sent out misleading messages. Some official even compared the South China Sea issue with what happened in Ukraine.

"We don't know what the US is driving at. And we don't know if US officials have read the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Otherwise, why would they turn a blind eye to the provisions clearly stated in the DOC and fabricate ones that are not in the DOC. There's not a single word that permits replenishment or building facilities on illegally occupied islands and reefs. The DOC makes it clear that disputes concerning territory and sovereignty should be solved peacefully through friendly negotiations and consultations by sovereign states directly concerned."

Wu added that if the US sincerely wanted to safeguard peace and stability in the region, it should faithfully honor its commitment to not taking sides on sovereignty issues. "In particular, the US side should stop making irresponsible remarks, and avoid creating the impression of emboldening some countries from further provocation," Wu said.