China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-presses-china-to-halt-militarization-of-south-china-sea-176537">Beijing hoped a consultation with</a> Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea would be completed in three years, and that such a deal would bolster free trade.

China also hopes to come to an agreement on its ongoing trade dispute with the United States based on mutual respect and trust, Li said at a function in Singapore, adding "there are no winners in any trade war".

China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed in August on a working text to continue long drawn-out negotiations over the code of conduct in the South China Sea.

Some ASEAN members and China have overlapping claims to islands in the sea, one of the world's busiest waterways. For years, they have been discussing a pact to prevent an escalation of disputes.

"It is China's hope that the COC (code of conduct) consultation will be finished in three years time so that it will contribute to enduring peace and stability in the South China Sea," Li said in a lecture. He is in Singapore to attend annual meetings between ASEAN and its partner nations.

"China and ASEAN countries will benefit in that process, it will also be conducive to free trade and go on to serve the interests of other parties."

Last week, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defense secretary Jim Mattis urged their Chinese counterparts to halt militarisation of the South China Sea, drawing a rebuke from the Chinese for sending US&nbsp;warships close to islands claimed by Beijing.

Li also said he hoped to finalise a major trade pact with 15 other countries called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019, and that they would announce "substantive progress" in negotiations at meetings this week.

China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday that Beijing hoped a consultation with Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea would be completed in three years, and that such a deal would bolster free trade.

China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday that Beijing hoped a consultation with Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea would be completed in three years, and that such a deal would bolster free trade. China also hopes to come to an agreement on its ongoing trade dispute with the United States based on mutual respect and trust, Li said at a function in Singapore, adding "there are no winners in any trade war". China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed in August on a working text to continue long drawn-out negotiations over the code of conduct in the South China Sea. Some ASEAN members and China have overlapping claims to islands in the sea, one of the world's busiest waterways. For years, they have been discussing a pact to prevent an escalation of disputes. "It is China's hope that the COC (code of conduct) consultation will be finished in three years time so that it will contribute to enduring peace and stability in the South China Sea," Li said in a lecture. He is in Singapore to attend annual meetings between ASEAN and its partner nations. "China and ASEAN countries will benefit in that process, it will also be conducive to free trade and go on to serve the interests of other parties." Last week, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defense secretary Jim Mattis urged their Chinese counterparts to halt militarisation of the South China Sea, drawing a rebuke from the Chinese for sending US warships close to islands claimed by Beijing. Li also said he hoped to finalise a major trade pact with 15 other countries called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019, and that they would announce "substantive progress" in negotiations at meetings this week.

South China Sea code of conduct consultation should be finished in 3 years: China

Standing side by side, top US officials urged their Chinese counterparts on Friday to halt militarization of the disputed South China Sea, drawing a rebuke from the Chinese for sending US warships close to islands claimed by Beijing.

During a round of high-level talks in Washington, the two sides aired in sometimes blunt terms many of their main differences, including a bitter trade dispute, freedom of navigation in Asia-Pacific waters, self-ruled Taiwan, and China’s crackdown on its Muslim minority in Xinjiang.

Two visiting senior Chinese officials also seized the opportunity to warn publicly that a trade war between the world’s two largest economies would end up hurting both sides and to call for keeping channels of communication open to resolve an issue that has unsettled global financial markets.

Despite the airing of grievances, the talks appeared aimed at controlling the damage to relations that has worsened in recent months and at paving the way for an encounter between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina at the end of November.

"The United States is not pursuing a Cold War or containment policy with respect to China," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a joint news conference.

Even as the United States and China confront difficult challenges, “cooperation remains essential on many issues,” he said, citing efforts to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.

The meeting paired Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis with Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. The annual US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue was originally set for Beijing last month but had been called off amid rising tensions.

Pompeo took aim at China over its continued building of military installations on artificial islands and reefs in the South China Sea, where China insists it has sovereignty despite competing claims from some smaller neighbours.

“We have continued concerns about China's activities and militarization in the South China Sea,” Pompeo said following the talks. “We pressed China to live up to its past commitments in this area."

Yang said China was committed to "non-confrontation” but that Beijing had the right to build "necessary defence facilities" on what it considers its own territory and urged Washington to stop sending warships and military planes close to the islands that Beijing claims.

Mattis made clear that this demand goes unheeded by Washington, which insists it is acting under international law to preserve access for it and others to the South China Sea.

In a statement on Saturday, China's Foreign Ministry described the talks as "frank, constructive and very fruitful."

TAIWAN

Responding sharply to Pompeo's mention of Taiwan, which China considers a wayward province but which is armed by Washington, Wei said Beijing would defend its claim on the island "at any cost."

But Wei and Mattis agreed on the need to lower US-China military tensions to avoid unintended clashes, with the Chinese general saying confrontation "will spell disaster to all." Washington has protested to Beijing about recent behaviour by its warships that the US Navy considered unsafe.

While Pompeo spoke little about trade in his public comments, Yang said he hoped the two sides would find a mutually acceptable solution on the issue “before long.”

China and the United States have slapped tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods, jolting global financial markets, and Trump has threatened to set tariffs on the remainder of China's $500 billion-plus exports to the United States if the trade dispute cannot be resolved.

Trump's administration has also accused China of meddling in US politics ahead of this week’s congressional elections, charges China strongly denies.

Reflecting growing US concerns about the Chinese cyber threat, a senior US intelligence official on Thursday accused China of violating a 2015 agreement aimed at stopping cyberespionage through the hacking of government and corporate data.

Pompeo also reiterated US criticism of China's "repression of religious groups," citing treatment of Buddhists in Tibet and minority Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang region that has drawn condemnation from human rights groups.

Yang defended China's policies in Xinjiang as measures against "ethnic separatist activities and violent terrorist crimes" but said it was a Chinese internal affair and foreign governments should not interfere.

Standing side by side, top US officials urged their Chinese counterparts on Friday to halt militarization of the disputed South China Sea, drawing a rebuke from the Chinese for sending US warships close to islands claimed by Beijing.

Standing side by side, top US officials urged their Chinese counterparts on Friday to halt militarization of the disputed South China Sea, drawing a rebuke from the Chinese for sending US warships close to islands claimed by Beijing. During a round of high-level talks in Washington, the two sides aired in sometimes blunt terms many of their main differences, including a bitter trade dispute, freedom of navigation in Asia-Pacific waters, self-ruled Taiwan, and China’s crackdown on its Muslim minority in Xinjiang. Two visiting senior Chinese officials also seized the opportunity to warn publicly that a trade war between the world’s two largest economies would end up hurting both sides and to call for keeping channels of communication open to resolve an issue that has unsettled global financial markets. Despite the airing of grievances, the talks appeared aimed at controlling the damage to relations that has worsened in recent months and at paving the way for an encounter between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina at the end of November. "The United States is not pursuing a Cold War or containment policy with respect to China," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a joint news conference. Even as the United States and China confront difficult challenges, “cooperation remains essential on many issues,” he said, citing efforts to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. The meeting paired Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis with Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. The annual US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue was originally set for Beijing last month but had been called off amid rising tensions. Pompeo took aim at China over its continued building of military installations on artificial islands and reefs in the South China Sea, where China insists it has sovereignty despite competing claims from some smaller neighbours. “We have continued concerns about China's activities and militarization in the South China Sea,” Pompeo said following the talks. “We pressed China to live up to its past commitments in this area." Yang said China was committed to "non-confrontation” but that Beijing had the right to build "necessary defence facilities" on what it considers its own territory and urged Washington to stop sending warships and military planes close to the islands that Beijing claims. Mattis made clear that this demand goes unheeded by Washington, which insists it is acting under international law to preserve access for it and others to the South China Sea. In a statement on Saturday, China's Foreign Ministry described the talks as "frank, constructive and very fruitful." TAIWAN Responding sharply to Pompeo's mention of Taiwan, which China considers a wayward province but which is armed by Washington, Wei said Beijing would defend its claim on the island "at any cost." But Wei and Mattis agreed on the need to lower US-China military tensions to avoid unintended clashes, with the Chinese general saying confrontation "will spell disaster to all." Washington has protested to Beijing about recent behaviour by its warships that the US Navy considered unsafe. While Pompeo spoke little about trade in his public comments, Yang said he hoped the two sides would find a mutually acceptable solution on the issue “before long.” China and the United States have slapped tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods, jolting global financial markets, and Trump has threatened to set tariffs on the remainder of China's $500 billion-plus exports to the United States if the trade dispute cannot be resolved. Trump's administration has also accused China of meddling in US politics ahead of this week’s congressional elections, charges China strongly denies. Reflecting growing US concerns about the Chinese cyber threat, a senior US intelligence official on Thursday accused China of violating a 2015 agreement aimed at stopping cyberespionage through the hacking of government and corporate data. Pompeo also reiterated US criticism of China's "repression of religious groups," citing treatment of Buddhists in Tibet and minority Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang region that has drawn condemnation from human rights groups. Yang defended China's policies in Xinjiang as measures against "ethnic separatist activities and violent terrorist crimes" but said it was a Chinese internal affair and foreign governments should not interfere.

US presses China to halt militarization of South China Sea

The United States, China and several other countries on Saturday agreed in principle to guidelines on preventing unplanned warplane encounters, the latest effort to avoid military confrontations in Asia.

Risks of chance encounters between military aircraft spiralling out of control have risen in recent years as Beijing becomes ever more assertive in the South China Sea, stoking tensions with rival claimants in Southeast Asia.

While not a claimant, Washington has also been drawn into the row as it has traditionally been the dominant naval and air power in the Asia-Pacific.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to guidelines on managing air encounters on Friday, at the annual meeting of the 10-member bloc's defence ministers.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe were among eight defence chiefs from outside ASEAN to give their "in-principle" backing to the guidelines, a joint ministerial statement said.

India, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand have also given broad backing to the new framework, Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said.

Any incident involving military jets can lead to a "cascade of activities that you cannot control," warned Ng, who hosted the meetings.

"You can have a gung-ho pilot who switches off everything and decides 'I'm going to intimidate,'" he told reporters.

"That would be a disaster."

The guidelines set norms of behaviour for pilots to prevent untoward encounters. These include always having two-way communications open and adhering to existing aviation conventions.

The new rules follow similar guidelines already in place to prevent naval vessels from unintended mishaps at sea.

Early last year, a Chinese warplane buzzed a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea, with the US claiming their plane was in international air space.

In 2016, a Chinese fighter aircraft also intercepted a US Navy surveillance plane over the sea.

Four ASEAN members -- Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- have conflicting claims in the South China Sea with Beijing.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire area, including waters near the shores of smaller countries.

The United States, China and several other countries on Saturday agreed in principle to guidelines on preventing unplanned warplane encounters, the latest effort to avoid military confrontations in Asia.

The United States, China and several other countries on Saturday agreed in principle to guidelines on preventing unplanned warplane encounters, the latest effort to avoid military confrontations in Asia. Risks of chance encounters between military aircraft spiralling out of control have risen in recent years as Beijing becomes ever more assertive in the South China Sea, stoking tensions with rival claimants in Southeast Asia. While not a claimant, Washington has also been drawn into the row as it has traditionally been the dominant naval and air power in the Asia-Pacific. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to guidelines on managing air encounters on Friday, at the annual meeting of the 10-member bloc's defence ministers. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe were among eight defence chiefs from outside ASEAN to give their "in-principle" backing to the guidelines, a joint ministerial statement said. India, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand have also given broad backing to the new framework, Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said. Any incident involving military jets can lead to a "cascade of activities that you cannot control," warned Ng, who hosted the meetings. "You can have a gung-ho pilot who switches off everything and decides 'I'm going to intimidate,'" he told reporters. "That would be a disaster." The guidelines set norms of behaviour for pilots to prevent untoward encounters. These include always having two-way communications open and adhering to existing aviation conventions. The new rules follow similar guidelines already in place to prevent naval vessels from unintended mishaps at sea. Early last year, a Chinese warplane buzzed a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea, with the US claiming their plane was in international air space. In 2016, a Chinese fighter aircraft also intercepted a US Navy surveillance plane over the sea. Four ASEAN members -- Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- have conflicting claims in the South China Sea with Beijing. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire area, including waters near the shores of smaller countries.

US, China back military air rules to avoid mishaps

China and Southeast Asian states will hold their first joint maritime exercises next week, officials said Friday, in a move aimed at easing tensions but which may spark US alarm.

Beijing's expansive claims to the South China Sea have long been a source of friction with rival claimants in Southeast Asia, as well as Washington which has traditionally been the dominant naval power in the area.

Despite disagreements over Beijing's territorial ambitions, China and Southeast Asia are trying to strike a more conciliatory tone in an effort to stop tensions from spiralling dangerously out of control.

As part of this, the navies of China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to hold their first joint drills, which will take place in the South China Sea.

"As we speak, the navies of ASEAN are en route to Zhanjiang in China for the ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise," Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said.

Making the announcement at a gathering of ASEAN defence ministers in Singapore, also attended by US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart, Ng said the drills would help to "build trust, confidence".

The city of Zhanjiang in southern China is home to the South Sea Fleet of the People's Liberation Army.

Tabletop exercises between ASEAN and China were held in Singapore in August to prepare for next week's drills.

However, some observers see the exercise as part of efforts by China to diminish American influence in the region by forging closer ties with Washington's traditional allies and partners. &nbsp;

In an apparent effort to lessen any such fears, Ng said ASEAN was planning to hold maritime exercises with the US for the first time next year.

Mattis insisted that he did not believe the China-ASEAN drills would reduce US sway in the strategically vital region.

"We do not see this as contrary to our interests," he said.&nbsp;

"If we can have that sort of activity going on, it's transparent, something that's been lacking in the South China Sea. Then that's going to be working in the right direction."

'US not losing ground'

Hoang Thi Ha, a political analyst with the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said next week's exercises were aimed at "demonstrating that China and ASEAN are managing well their maritime problems".

But she added its significance should not be overstated as it was a one-off drill in waters that were not disputed.&nbsp;

"The US is not losing ground exactly because ASEAN chooses to be open and inclusive," she told AFP.

The Southeast Asian defence ministers also agreed on guidelines to prevent unplanned encounters between their military aircraft, and will propose them to other countries, including the US and China, at a meeting on Saturday, Ng said.

They are aimed at reducing the likelihood that a chance encounter could spiral into conflict in the case of a miscalculation.

Four ASEAN members -- Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- have conflicting claims in the South China Sea with Beijing. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire area, including waters near the shores of smaller countries.

Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand are ASEAN's other members.

Concerns have escalated dramatically in recent years as China started building artificial islands on reefs in disputed waters, and it has also constructed military facilities and airstrips.

Washington has expressed alarm over the island-building, saying it could affect freedom of navigation in the sea, which hosts some of the world's most vital commercial shipping lanes.

At Friday's meeting, Mattis stressed that "no single nation can rewrite the international rules of the road, and we expect all nations -- large and small -- to respect those rules".

The Pentagon chief met Thursday with his Chinese counterpart, General Wei Fenghe, on the sidelines of the gathering as they sought to normalise military relations that have dramatically soured over trade and sanctions tensions.

China and Southeast Asian states will hold their first joint maritime exercises next week, officials said Friday, in a move aimed at easing tensions but which may spark US alarm.

China and Southeast Asian states will hold their first joint maritime exercises next week, officials said Friday, in a move aimed at easing tensions but which may spark US alarm. Beijing's expansive claims to the South China Sea have long been a source of friction with rival claimants in Southeast Asia, as well as Washington which has traditionally been the dominant naval power in the area. Despite disagreements over Beijing's territorial ambitions, China and Southeast Asia are trying to strike a more conciliatory tone in an effort to stop tensions from spiralling dangerously out of control. As part of this, the navies of China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to hold their first joint drills, which will take place in the South China Sea. "As we speak, the navies of ASEAN are en route to Zhanjiang in China for the ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise," Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said. Making the announcement at a gathering of ASEAN defence ministers in Singapore, also attended by US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart, Ng said the drills would help to "build trust, confidence". The city of Zhanjiang in southern China is home to the South Sea Fleet of the People's Liberation Army. Tabletop exercises between ASEAN and China were held in Singapore in August to prepare for next week's drills. However, some observers see the exercise as part of efforts by China to diminish American influence in the region by forging closer ties with Washington's traditional allies and partners. In an apparent effort to lessen any such fears, Ng said ASEAN was planning to hold maritime exercises with the US for the first time next year. Mattis insisted that he did not believe the China-ASEAN drills would reduce US sway in the strategically vital region. "We do not see this as contrary to our interests," he said. "If we can have that sort of activity going on, it's transparent, something that's been lacking in the South China Sea. Then that's going to be working in the right direction." 'US not losing ground' Hoang Thi Ha, a political analyst with the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said next week's exercises were aimed at "demonstrating that China and ASEAN are managing well their maritime problems". But she added its significance should not be overstated as it was a one-off drill in waters that were not disputed. "The US is not losing ground exactly because ASEAN chooses to be open and inclusive," she told AFP. The Southeast Asian defence ministers also agreed on guidelines to prevent unplanned encounters between their military aircraft, and will propose them to other countries, including the US and China, at a meeting on Saturday, Ng said. They are aimed at reducing the likelihood that a chance encounter could spiral into conflict in the case of a miscalculation. Four ASEAN members -- Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- have conflicting claims in the South China Sea with Beijing. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire area, including waters near the shores of smaller countries. Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand are ASEAN's other members. Concerns have escalated dramatically in recent years as China started building artificial islands on reefs in disputed waters, and it has also constructed military facilities and airstrips. Washington has expressed alarm over the island-building, saying it could affect freedom of navigation in the sea, which hosts some of the world's most vital commercial shipping lanes. At Friday's meeting, Mattis stressed that "no single nation can rewrite the international rules of the road, and we expect all nations -- large and small -- to respect those rules". The Pentagon chief met Thursday with his Chinese counterpart, General Wei Fenghe, on the sidelines of the gathering as they sought to normalise military relations that have dramatically soured over trade and sanctions tensions.

China, Southeast Asia to hold maritime drill to ease tensions

US defence secretary James Mattis met his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on Friday and declared that both countries should "try to keep on a path of transparency and stability".

"We want a military relationship that is a source of stability between our two countries," Mattis said after meeting Fenghe.

The US and Chinese military have been on edge over tensions in the South China Sea with US jets periodically flying over the disputed islands, a move which China has often criticised.

"We do not want tensions, we want a constructive relationship and we'll continue to cooperate where ever we can," Mattis said, adding,"we are concerned about the militarisation of the features in the South China Sea because of the inhibition of free and open commerce of all nations no matter what size."

The South China Sea islands are claimed by a string of countries including Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei leading to tensions with China.&nbsp;

Wei Fenghe and James Mattis decided to deepen mutual trust between the two militaries as tensions have mounted over the past few months.

Wei, however, added that China stands firm on principles guiding issues of Taiwan and the South China Sea, and that the Chinese military takes "unswerving stance"&nbsp;on safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development.

During the meeting held on the sidelines of the5th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Singapore, Mattis said differences between the two countries does not mean confrontation adding that "competition doesn't mean hostility".

Ahead of the meeting, China's Taiwan affairs spokesman &nbsp;Ma Xiaoguang had said that China was opposed to any "official contact or military ties" in any form between the United States and Taiwan.

"China's position on this issue is consistent and clear. The Taiwan issue, vital for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, concerns China's core interests," Xiaoguang said, cautioning that all the parties involved to act prudently, so as not to "harm the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

US defence secretary James Mattis met his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on Friday and declared that both countries should "try to keep on a path of transparency and stability".

US defence secretary James Mattis met his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on Friday and declared that both countries should "try to keep on a path of transparency and stability". "We want a military relationship that is a source of stability between our two countries," Mattis said after meeting Fenghe. The US and Chinese military have been on edge over tensions in the South China Sea with US jets periodically flying over the disputed islands, a move which China has often criticised. "We do not want tensions, we want a constructive relationship and we'll continue to cooperate where ever we can," Mattis said, adding,"we are concerned about the militarisation of the features in the South China Sea because of the inhibition of free and open commerce of all nations no matter what size." The South China Sea islands are claimed by a string of countries including Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei leading to tensions with China. Wei Fenghe and James Mattis decided to deepen mutual trust between the two militaries as tensions have mounted over the past few months. Wei, however, added that China stands firm on principles guiding issues of Taiwan and the South China Sea, and that the Chinese military takes "unswerving stance" on safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development. During the meeting held on the sidelines of the5th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Singapore, Mattis said differences between the two countries does not mean confrontation adding that "competition doesn't mean hostility". Ahead of the meeting, China's Taiwan affairs spokesman Ma Xiaoguang had said that China was opposed to any "official contact or military ties" in any form between the United States and Taiwan. "China's position on this issue is consistent and clear. The Taiwan issue, vital for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, concerns China's core interests," Xiaoguang said, cautioning that all the parties involved to act prudently, so as not to "harm the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

Want military relationship with China that is source of stability: Mattis

As tensions mount, Mattis seeks more resilient US ties with China's military

The United State remains highly concerned with China's continued militarisation in the South China Sea and its predatory economic behaviour, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Monday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-not-be-intimidated-south-china-sea-us-vp-pence-tell-china-169406">We will not be intimidated in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-not-be-intimidated-south-china-sea-us-vp-pence-tell-china-169406">South</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-not-be-intimidated-south-china-sea-us-vp-pence-tell-china-169406"> China Sea, says US VP Pence to tell China</a>

"We remain highly concerned with continued militarisation of features in the South China Sea. Plus, we look at what we consider to be almost predatory -- in some cases certainly predatory economic behaviour...," Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Vietnam.

Referring to the major policy speech of vice-president Mike Pence last week, Mattis said the Trump administration seeks a relationship with China that's grounded in fairness, reciprocity and respect for sovereignty. That means respect for international rules and for all nations' sovereignty, whether they're large or small, he said.

"So, we're two large powers, or two Pacific powers, two economic powers. There's going to be times we step on each other's toes, so we're going to have to find a way to productively manage our relationship. And the military relationship is to be a stabilising force in the relations between the two countries," Mattis said.

Responding to a question, Mattis said the US is not looking for a confrontation with China. "We are not seeing a more military, confrontational approach vis-a-vis China," he said when asked about the recent incident involving Americans and the Chinese in the South China Sea.

"In the South China Sea, over many American administrations, we have said that in international airspace, international waters, we will fly or sail. You've seen that continue. And my relationship with my counterpart has in no way changed over this," he said.

Mattis said that Pence in his speech reiterated the position that US will cooperate with China where it can.&nbsp;

"We are looking for ways to cooperate more. We've seen that cooperation manifested in the most blunt terms with three unanimous UN Security Council resolutions on sanctions on North Korea, and that's where we're voting in alignment with each other," he said.

"And then you're seeing, too, that we continue to sail through areas, but even if you go back to when President Obama and President Xi were meeting in the Rose Garden, President Xi vowed that he would not militarise the Spratly Islands for example. That happened, but our policy has not changed, we do not accept that. So no one nation can change the international rules of the road," he asserted.

Mattis argued that there is no increase in military confrontation, but it is a continuation of a longstanding American policy: international rule of law, prosperity for all nations, sail wherever they wish in international waters, and respect the sovereignty of all nations, peaceful resolution of disputes through international tribunals.

After Vietnam, Mattis would travel to Singapore to attend the ASEAN Defense Ministers meeting.&nbsp;

The United State remains highly concerned with China's continued militarisation in the South China Sea and its predatory economic behaviour, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Monday.

The United State remains highly concerned with China's continued militarisation in the South China Sea and its predatory economic behaviour, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Monday. We will not be intimidated in South China Sea, says US VP Pence to tell China "We remain highly concerned with continued militarisation of features in the South China Sea. Plus, we look at what we consider to be almost predatory -- in some cases certainly predatory economic behaviour...," Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Vietnam. Referring to the major policy speech of vice-president Mike Pence last week, Mattis said the Trump administration seeks a relationship with China that's grounded in fairness, reciprocity and respect for sovereignty. That means respect for international rules and for all nations' sovereignty, whether they're large or small, he said. "So, we're two large powers, or two Pacific powers, two economic powers. There's going to be times we step on each other's toes, so we're going to have to find a way to productively manage our relationship. And the military relationship is to be a stabilising force in the relations between the two countries," Mattis said. Responding to a question, Mattis said the US is not looking for a confrontation with China. "We are not seeing a more military, confrontational approach vis-a-vis China," he said when asked about the recent incident involving Americans and the Chinese in the South China Sea. "In the South China Sea, over many American administrations, we have said that in international airspace, international waters, we will fly or sail. You've seen that continue. And my relationship with my counterpart has in no way changed over this," he said. Mattis said that Pence in his speech reiterated the position that US will cooperate with China where it can. "We are looking for ways to cooperate more. We've seen that cooperation manifested in the most blunt terms with three unanimous UN Security Council resolutions on sanctions on North Korea, and that's where we're voting in alignment with each other," he said. "And then you're seeing, too, that we continue to sail through areas, but even if you go back to when President Obama and President Xi were meeting in the Rose Garden, President Xi vowed that he would not militarise the Spratly Islands for example. That happened, but our policy has not changed, we do not accept that. So no one nation can change the international rules of the road," he asserted. Mattis argued that there is no increase in military confrontation, but it is a continuation of a longstanding American policy: international rule of law, prosperity for all nations, sail wherever they wish in international waters, and respect the sovereignty of all nations, peaceful resolution of disputes through international tribunals. After Vietnam, Mattis would travel to Singapore to attend the ASEAN Defense Ministers meeting.

Concerned over South China Sea militarisation but don't see confrontation with China: Mattis

US Vice President Mike Pence, sharpening US criticism of Chinese policies around the globe, will give China a blunt warning on Thursday that the United States will not back down from what Washington sees as Chinese intimidation in the South China Sea.

Pence will deliver an 11 am (1500 GMT) address at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington likely to increase tensions between the United States and China beyond trade disputes that have dominated President Donald Trump's time in office.

In excerpts of his speech seen by Reuters, Pence will call attention to an incident in which a destroyer, the USS Decatur, travelled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands on Sunday.

Pence will say a Chinese naval vessel came within 45 yards (metres) of the USS Decatur "as it conducted freedom-of-navigation operations in the South China Sea, forcing our ship to quickly maneuver to avoid collision."

"Despite such reckless harassment, the United States Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows and our national interests demand. We will not be intimidated. We will not stand down," Pence will say.

The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate.

China's Defence Ministry said a Chinese naval ship had been sent to warn the US vessel to leave and that Beijing had irrefutable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and the waters around them.

Pence will also accuse the Chinese Communist Party of convincing three Latin American nations to sever ties with Taiwan and recognize China.

"These actions threaten the stability of the Taiwan Strait – and the United States of America condemns them. And while our administration will continue to respect our One China Policy, as reflected in the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, let me also say that Taiwan’s embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people," Pence will say.

The United States and China are embroiled in a trade war, sparked by Trump’s accusations that China has long sought to steal US intellectual property, limit access to its own market and unfairly subsidize state-owned companies. The two countries have imposed increasingly severe rounds of tariffs on each other's imports.

Despite the tensions, Trump has said Chinese President Xi Jinping is a friend. But at a news conference but last week in New York, he said: “Maybe he’s not anymore, I’ll be honest with you."

In New York, Trump accused China of attempting to meddle in the US congressional elections coming up next month, while offering little in the way of evidence. Beijing rejected the charge.

He cited a Chinese government-run media company’s four-page supplement in the Sunday Des Moines Register of Iowa as an attempt to turn voters in that key state against Trump's trade policies.

'DEBT DIPLOMACY'

Pence will say China uses “debt diplomacy” to expand its influence worldwide.

"Today, that country is offering hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure loans to governments from Asia to Africa to Europe to even Latin America. Yet the terms of those loans are opaque at best, and the benefits flow overwhelmingly to Beijing," he will say.

He will also say that Beijing has extended a lifeline to "the corrupt and incompetent Maduro regime in Venezuela," pledging $5 billion in loans that can be repaid with oil.

Pence will say the US intelligence community has determined that China is targeting US state and local governments and officials to exploit any divisions between federal and local levels on policy.

"It’s using wedge issues, like trade tariffs, to advance Beijing’s political influence," he will say.

The goal, he is to say, is to shift Americans' perception of Chinese policies by mobilizing "covert actors, front groups, and propaganda outlets."

"As a senior career member of our intelligence community recently told me, what the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what China is doing across this country," Pence will say.

Pence will also argue that Chinese officials have tried to influence business leaders to condemn US trade actions, "leveraging their desire to maintain their operations in China."

"In one recent example, they threatened to deny a business license for a major US corporation if it refused to speak out against our administration’s policies," Pence will say.

The corporation is not named in the speech excerpts.

US Vice President Mike Pence, sharpening US criticism of Chinese policies around the globe, will give China a blunt warning on Thursday that the United States will not back down from what Washington sees as Chinese intimidation in the South China Sea.

US Vice President Mike Pence, sharpening US criticism of Chinese policies around the globe, will give China a blunt warning on Thursday that the United States will not back down from what Washington sees as Chinese intimidation in the South China Sea. Pence will deliver an 11 am (1500 GMT) address at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington likely to increase tensions between the United States and China beyond trade disputes that have dominated President Donald Trump's time in office. In excerpts of his speech seen by Reuters, Pence will call attention to an incident in which a destroyer, the USS Decatur, travelled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands on Sunday. Pence will say a Chinese naval vessel came within 45 yards (metres) of the USS Decatur "as it conducted freedom-of-navigation operations in the South China Sea, forcing our ship to quickly maneuver to avoid collision." "Despite such reckless harassment, the United States Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows and our national interests demand. We will not be intimidated. We will not stand down," Pence will say. The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate. China's Defence Ministry said a Chinese naval ship had been sent to warn the US vessel to leave and that Beijing had irrefutable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and the waters around them. Pence will also accuse the Chinese Communist Party of convincing three Latin American nations to sever ties with Taiwan and recognize China. "These actions threaten the stability of the Taiwan Strait – and the United States of America condemns them. And while our administration will continue to respect our One China Policy, as reflected in the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, let me also say that Taiwan’s embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people," Pence will say. The United States and China are embroiled in a trade war, sparked by Trump’s accusations that China has long sought to steal US intellectual property, limit access to its own market and unfairly subsidize state-owned companies. The two countries have imposed increasingly severe rounds of tariffs on each other's imports. Despite the tensions, Trump has said Chinese President Xi Jinping is a friend. But at a news conference but last week in New York, he said: “Maybe he’s not anymore, I’ll be honest with you." In New York, Trump accused China of attempting to meddle in the US congressional elections coming up next month, while offering little in the way of evidence. Beijing rejected the charge. He cited a Chinese government-run media company’s four-page supplement in the Sunday Des Moines Register of Iowa as an attempt to turn voters in that key state against Trump's trade policies. 'DEBT DIPLOMACY' Pence will say China uses “debt diplomacy” to expand its influence worldwide. "Today, that country is offering hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure loans to governments from Asia to Africa to Europe to even Latin America. Yet the terms of those loans are opaque at best, and the benefits flow overwhelmingly to Beijing," he will say. He will also say that Beijing has extended a lifeline to "the corrupt and incompetent Maduro regime in Venezuela," pledging $5 billion in loans that can be repaid with oil. Pence will say the US intelligence community has determined that China is targeting US state and local governments and officials to exploit any divisions between federal and local levels on policy. "It’s using wedge issues, like trade tariffs, to advance Beijing’s political influence," he will say. The goal, he is to say, is to shift Americans' perception of Chinese policies by mobilizing "covert actors, front groups, and propaganda outlets." "As a senior career member of our intelligence community recently told me, what the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what China is doing across this country," Pence will say. Pence will also argue that Chinese officials have tried to influence business leaders to condemn US trade actions, "leveraging their desire to maintain their operations in China." "In one recent example, they threatened to deny a business license for a major US corporation if it refused to speak out against our administration’s policies," Pence will say. The corporation is not named in the speech excerpts.

We will not be intimidated in South China Sea: US VP Pence to tell China

China expressed anger on Tuesday after a US&nbsp;Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the disputed South China Sea, saying it resolutely opposed an operation that it called a threat to its sovereignty.

Beijing and Washington are locked in a trade war in which they have imposed increasingly severe rounds of tariffs on each other's imports.

A US&nbsp;official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the destroyer the USS Decatur traveled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands on Sunday.

The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate.

China's Defence Ministry said a Chinese naval ship had been sent to warn the US&nbsp;vessel to leave.

The ministry said China has irrefutable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and the waters around them, and the situation there is progressing well thanks to the hard work of China and countries in Southeast Asia.

"The US&nbsp;side repeatedly sends military ships without permission into seas close to South China Seas islands, seriously threatening China's sovereignty and security, seriously damaging Sino-US&nbsp;military ties and seriously harming regional peace and stability," the ministry said.

"China's military is resolutely opposed to this," it said.

The Chinese armed forces will continue to take all necessary steps to protect the country's sovereignty and security, the ministry said.

China's Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement it strongly urged the United States to stop such "provocative" actions and to "immediately correct its mistakes".

The operation also comes as military ties between the two countries have dived, with China also angered by US&nbsp;sanctions on China's military for buying Russian arms and by US&nbsp;support for self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own.

US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday he did not see relations between the United States and China worsening, a day after his trip to China was cancelled.

Reuters reported on Sunday that China cancelled a security meeting with Mattis that had been planned for October. A US&nbsp;official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Mattis was no longer going to China.

China has not yet commented on the matter.

Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe is due to visit the United States later this year but China's Defence Ministry suggested last week that may not happen.

China expressed anger on Tuesday after a US Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the disputed South China Sea, saying it resolutely opposed an operation that it called a threat to its sovereignty.

China expressed anger on Tuesday after a US Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the disputed South China Sea, saying it resolutely opposed an operation that it called a threat to its sovereignty. Beijing and Washington are locked in a trade war in which they have imposed increasingly severe rounds of tariffs on each other's imports. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the destroyer the USS Decatur traveled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands on Sunday. The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate. China's Defence Ministry said a Chinese naval ship had been sent to warn the US vessel to leave. The ministry said China has irrefutable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and the waters around them, and the situation there is progressing well thanks to the hard work of China and countries in Southeast Asia. "The US side repeatedly sends military ships without permission into seas close to South China Seas islands, seriously threatening China's sovereignty and security, seriously damaging Sino-US military ties and seriously harming regional peace and stability," the ministry said. "China's military is resolutely opposed to this," it said. The Chinese armed forces will continue to take all necessary steps to protect the country's sovereignty and security, the ministry said. China's Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement it strongly urged the United States to stop such "provocative" actions and to "immediately correct its mistakes". The operation also comes as military ties between the two countries have dived, with China also angered by US sanctions on China's military for buying Russian arms and by US support for self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday he did not see relations between the United States and China worsening, a day after his trip to China was cancelled. Reuters reported on Sunday that China cancelled a security meeting with Mattis that had been planned for October. A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Mattis was no longer going to China. China has not yet commented on the matter. Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe is due to visit the United States later this year but China's Defence Ministry suggested last week that may not happen.

China condemns US for South China Sea freedom of navigation operation

A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer -- forcing it to change course -- in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday.

The USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer was conducting what the military calls a "freedom of navigation operation" Sunday, when it passed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the remote Spratly Islands.

The 12-mile distance is commonly accepted as constituting the territorial waters of a landmass.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it.&nbsp;

Beijing claims all of the Spratlys and has built a number of military installations on the islands.

During the operation, a Chinese Luyang destroyer approached the USS Decatur in "an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre in the vicinity of Gaven Reef in the South China Sea," US Pacific Fleet spokesman Commander Nate Christensen said.

The Chinese ship then conducted a series of "increasingly aggressive manoeuvres, and warned the Decatur to depart the area," he added.

The Chinese "destroyer approached within 45 yards (meters) of Decatur's bow, after which Decatur manoeuvred to prevent a collision."

In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said that its ship had "given a warning to leave" to the vessel after it entered the area "without permission."

"The US has repeatedly sent warships into the territorial waters near Chinese reefs and islands in the South China Sea," it said.

The behaviour "gravely threatens China's sovereignty and security, gravely damages relations between China and the US and their militaries, and gravely injures regional peace and stability."

US-Chinese relations have been strained on multiple levels since Donald Trump became president in 2017.

A trade war launched by Trump has infuriated Beijing, as did his authorization of a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which China considers a rebel province.

Washington last week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports.

China has taken a series of retaliatory measures, including scrapping a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelling a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart.

On Monday, a US defence official said that security talks due to take place later this month in Beijing between Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart had been cancelled.

A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer -- forcing it to change course -- in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday.

A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer -- forcing it to change course -- in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday. The USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer was conducting what the military calls a "freedom of navigation operation" Sunday, when it passed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the remote Spratly Islands. The 12-mile distance is commonly accepted as constituting the territorial waters of a landmass. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing claims all of the Spratlys and has built a number of military installations on the islands. During the operation, a Chinese Luyang destroyer approached the USS Decatur in "an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre in the vicinity of Gaven Reef in the South China Sea," US Pacific Fleet spokesman Commander Nate Christensen said. The Chinese ship then conducted a series of "increasingly aggressive manoeuvres, and warned the Decatur to depart the area," he added. The Chinese "destroyer approached within 45 yards (meters) of Decatur's bow, after which Decatur manoeuvred to prevent a collision." In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said that its ship had "given a warning to leave" to the vessel after it entered the area "without permission." "The US has repeatedly sent warships into the territorial waters near Chinese reefs and islands in the South China Sea," it said. The behaviour "gravely threatens China's sovereignty and security, gravely damages relations between China and the US and their militaries, and gravely injures regional peace and stability." US-Chinese relations have been strained on multiple levels since Donald Trump became president in 2017. A trade war launched by Trump has infuriated Beijing, as did his authorization of a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which China considers a rebel province. Washington last week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports. China has taken a series of retaliatory measures, including scrapping a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelling a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart. On Monday, a US defence official said that security talks due to take place later this month in Beijing between Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart had been cancelled.

Chinese destroyer extremely close to US warship: US

A US Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Sunday, a US official told Reuters, potentially angering Beijing at a time of tense relations between the two countries.

Beijing and Washington are locked in a trade war that has seen them impose increasingly severe rounds of tariffs on each other's imports.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the destroyer Decatur travelled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands.

The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate.

China’s claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

"We conduct routine and regular freedom-of-navigation operations, as we have done in the past and will continue to do in the future," the US official added.

China's foreign ministry did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The United States has criticised China’s construction of islands and military facilities in the area and is concerned they could be used to restrict free nautical movement.

The US military has a long-standing position that its operations are carried out throughout the world, including in areas claimed by allies, and are separate from political considerations.

The latest move comes at a particularly tense time in relations between the United States and China.

Friction between the world's two biggest economies is now moving beyond trade, with US President Donald Trump accusing Beijing this week of seeking to interfere in congressional elections, marking a new phase in an escalating campaign by Washington to put pressure on China.

China recently denied a request for a US warship to visit Hong Kong and this month Beijing postponed joint military talks in protest against a US decision to impose sanctions on a Chinese military agency and its director for buying Russian fighter jets and a surface-to-air missile system.

In May two US Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China.

A US Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Sunday, a US official told Reuters, potentially angering Beijing at a time of tense relations between the two countries.

A US Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Sunday, a US official told Reuters, potentially angering Beijing at a time of tense relations between the two countries. Beijing and Washington are locked in a trade war that has seen them impose increasingly severe rounds of tariffs on each other's imports. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the destroyer Decatur travelled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands. The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate. China’s claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. "We conduct routine and regular freedom-of-navigation operations, as we have done in the past and will continue to do in the future," the US official added. China's foreign ministry did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The United States has criticised China’s construction of islands and military facilities in the area and is concerned they could be used to restrict free nautical movement. The US military has a long-standing position that its operations are carried out throughout the world, including in areas claimed by allies, and are separate from political considerations. The latest move comes at a particularly tense time in relations between the United States and China. Friction between the world's two biggest economies is now moving beyond trade, with US President Donald Trump accusing Beijing this week of seeking to interfere in congressional elections, marking a new phase in an escalating campaign by Washington to put pressure on China. China recently denied a request for a US warship to visit Hong Kong and this month Beijing postponed joint military talks in protest against a US decision to impose sanctions on a Chinese military agency and its director for buying Russian fighter jets and a surface-to-air missile system. In May two US Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China.

US warship sails near disputed South China Sea islands: Official

The Chinese defence ministry on Thursday denounced flyovers by US B-52 bombers over the South China Sea and East China Sea as "provocative" actions amid soaring tensions between the two global powers.

The Pentagon said Wednesday the heavy bombers had taken part in a combined operation with Japan over the East China Sea and had flown through international airspace over the South China Sea a day before.

"Regarding the provocative actions of US military aircraft in the South China Sea, we are always resolutely opposed to them, and will continue to take necessary measures in order to strongly handle (this issue)," Chinese defence ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang told a monthly news briefing.&nbsp;

China has claimed large swaths of the strategic waterway and built up a series of islands and maritime features, turning them into military facilities.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims to the region, and an international maritime tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's claims have no legal basis.

Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dave Eastburn said this week's flights were part of "regularly scheduled operations."

The United States rejects China's territorial claims and routinely says the military will "continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows at times and places of our choosing."

Washington this week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports while it last week sanctioned a Chinese military organisation for buying Russian weapons.&nbsp;

China has reacted angrily, and this week scrapped a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelled a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he was not concerned the US transit flights would increase tensions with China.

"If it was 20 years ago and they have not militarised those features there, it would have just been another bomber on its way to Diego Garcia or whatever," he told Pentagon reporters, referring to the US military base in the Indian Ocean.

"So there's nothing out of the ordinary about it, nor about our ships sailing through there."

The Pentagon chief went on to say there is no "fundamental shift in anything."

"We're just going through one of those periodic points where we've got to learn to manage our differences," he said.

The Chinese defence ministry on Thursday denounced flyovers by US B-52 bombers over the South China Sea and East China Sea as "provocative" actions amid soaring tensions between the two global powers.

The Chinese defence ministry on Thursday denounced flyovers by US B-52 bombers over the South China Sea and East China Sea as "provocative" actions amid soaring tensions between the two global powers. The Pentagon said Wednesday the heavy bombers had taken part in a combined operation with Japan over the East China Sea and had flown through international airspace over the South China Sea a day before. "Regarding the provocative actions of US military aircraft in the South China Sea, we are always resolutely opposed to them, and will continue to take necessary measures in order to strongly handle (this issue)," Chinese defence ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang told a monthly news briefing. China has claimed large swaths of the strategic waterway and built up a series of islands and maritime features, turning them into military facilities. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims to the region, and an international maritime tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's claims have no legal basis. Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dave Eastburn said this week's flights were part of "regularly scheduled operations." The United States rejects China's territorial claims and routinely says the military will "continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows at times and places of our choosing." Washington this week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports while it last week sanctioned a Chinese military organisation for buying Russian weapons. China has reacted angrily, and this week scrapped a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelled a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he was not concerned the US transit flights would increase tensions with China. "If it was 20 years ago and they have not militarised those features there, it would have just been another bomber on its way to Diego Garcia or whatever," he told Pentagon reporters, referring to the US military base in the Indian Ocean. "So there's nothing out of the ordinary about it, nor about our ships sailing through there." The Pentagon chief went on to say there is no "fundamental shift in anything." "We're just going through one of those periodic points where we've got to learn to manage our differences," he said.

China denounces flyovers by US B-52 bombers over the South China Sea 

China hopes that Britain can stand by its position of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/chines-military-tells-us-military-plane-flying-over-south-china-sea-to-leave-immediately--158405?amp">not taking sides in the South China Sea</a> and earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Chinese government's top diplomat told Britain's foreign minister.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-navy-warship-sails-near-south-china-sea-islands-angering-beijing-163979">Also Read:&nbsp;British Navy warship sails near </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-navy-warship-sails-near-south-china-sea-islands-angering-beijing-163979">South</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-navy-warship-sails-near-south-china-sea-islands-angering-beijing-163979"> China Sea islands, angers China</a>

Beijing expressed anger after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea late last month, saying Britain was engaged in "provocation" and that it had lodged a strong complaint.

China also warned that ties were at risk after the naval operation.

Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi met British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting in New York on Monday and expressed China's "stern position" on the South China Sea, China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

China "hopes that Britain will truly implement its position of not taking sides in the South China Sea issue, earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and not do anything to disturb mutual trust between the two countries", it cited Wang as saying.

China and Britain, which have talked of a "golden era" of relations, agreed last month to look at the possibility of reaching a "top notch" post-Brexit free trade deal that promises an important political win for the conservative British government.

China's statement on Wang's meeting with Hunt made no mention of Brexit or the free trade deal.

China hopes that Britain can stand by its position of not taking sides in the South China Sea and earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Chinese government's top diplomat told Britain's foreign minister.

China hopes that Britain can stand by its position of not taking sides in the South China Sea and earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Chinese government's top diplomat told Britain's foreign minister. Also Read: British Navy warship sails near South China Sea islands, angers China Beijing expressed anger after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea late last month, saying Britain was engaged in "provocation" and that it had lodged a strong complaint. China also warned that ties were at risk after the naval operation. Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi met British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting in New York on Monday and expressed China's "stern position" on the South China Sea, China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. China "hopes that Britain will truly implement its position of not taking sides in the South China Sea issue, earnestly respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and not do anything to disturb mutual trust between the two countries", it cited Wang as saying. China and Britain, which have talked of a "golden era" of relations, agreed last month to look at the possibility of reaching a "top notch" post-Brexit free trade deal that promises an important political win for the conservative British government. China's statement on Wang's meeting with Hunt made no mention of Brexit or the free trade deal.

Hope Britain does not take sides in South China Sea issue: China

France is increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, sending warships through the South China Sea and planning air exercises to help counter China's military build-up in disputed waters.

In late May, the French assault ship Dixmude and a frigate sailed through the disputed Spratly Islands and around a group of reefs that China has turned into islets to push back against Beijing's claim to own most of the resource-rich South China Sea.

"Our patrol involved passing close to these islets to obtain intelligence with all the sensors it is possible to use in international waters," the Dixmude's commanding officer, Jean Porcher, told reporters in a video interview.

Writing in The Wall Street Journal, a researcher from the Hudson Institute think-tank who was onboard, said that "several Chinese frigates and corvettes" tailed the French vessels.

Porcher said the ship maintained "cordial" radio contact with Chinese military vessels, "which were present in the area until we left".

So far the United States has taken the lead in confronting China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea, which are contested by several neighbours, particularly Vietnam.

But France, which along with Britain is the only European nation to regularly send its navy into the region, has also waded into the dispute, sending its ships into the South China Sea three to five times a year.

In August, the airforce will stage its biggest-ever exercises in southeast Asia as part of a strategy to mark France's presence in a region that is home to 1.5 million French citizens in the country's overseas territories.

Three Rafale fighter jets, one A400M troop transporter and a C135 refuelling tanker will fly from Australia to India, with several stop-offs along the way.

The sea and air operations follow a visit by President Emmanuel Macron last month to Australia, where he spoke of the need to protect the Indo-Pacific region from "hegemony" -- a veiled reference to Beijing's growing might.

He stressed that France, which will be the last country in the EU after Britain leaves the bloc to have territories in the Pacific, did not want to antagonise China.

But a "strong Indo-Pacific axis" was needed to ensure respect for freedom of navigation and aviation in the region, he told Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Macron appears to be "realistically assessing the growing Chinese challenge", said Jonas Parello-Plesner, a researcher from the US-based Hudson Institute who was an observer on the recent French navy voyage.

"This is a welcome change from his predecessors, who were enthralled by the business and investment opportunities in China," he wrote in The Wall Street Journal.

But France had already began to push back against China's expansionism before Macron took power.

Since 2014, the navy has sailed regularly through the South China Sea as part of its stated bid to uphold a rules-based maritime order.

In 2016, then French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (now the foreign minister) called on other European navies to develop a regular and visible presence in the South China Sea.

Besides protecting navigation, France has cited the need to defend the interests of its citizens scattered across five French territories in the Pacific, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

"This region is also our home," current Defence Minister Florence Parly said during a visit to Singapore in early June.

Valerie Niquet, an expert on the Asia-Pacific region at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris, said France's growing assertiveness showed the US was no longer the only Western power "getting involved in the area".

"Faced with China the US obviously plays the main deterrent role, but it's not pointless or trivial for a power like France, a permanent member of the (UN) Security Council, to take a firm, principled position and carry out concrete actions," she said, predicting that it would "marginalise China's position a little bit more".

Analysts point to another factor underpinning France's growing activism in the Indo-Pacific region: the need to show buyers of French arms that Paris has their back.

In 2016, India agreed buy 36 Rafale fighter jets and Australia signed a deal worth 50 billion Australian dollars ($37 billion, 31 billion euros) for 12 next-generation French submarines.

"That is also doubtlessly pushing France to be a lot firmer on subjects that, up until recently, were broached with great care," Niquet said.

Porcher said the ship maintained 'cordial' radio contact with Chinese military vessels, 'which were present in the area until we left'

France is increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, sending warships through the South China Sea and planning air exercises to help counter China's military build-up in disputed waters. In late May, the French assault ship Dixmude and a frigate sailed through the disputed Spratly Islands and around a group of reefs that China has turned into islets to push back against Beijing's claim to own most of the resource-rich South China Sea. "Our patrol involved passing close to these islets to obtain intelligence with all the sensors it is possible to use in international waters," the Dixmude's commanding officer, Jean Porcher, told reporters in a video interview. Writing in The Wall Street Journal, a researcher from the Hudson Institute think-tank who was onboard, said that "several Chinese frigates and corvettes" tailed the French vessels. Porcher said the ship maintained "cordial" radio contact with Chinese military vessels, "which were present in the area until we left". So far the United States has taken the lead in confronting China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea, which are contested by several neighbours, particularly Vietnam. But France, which along with Britain is the only European nation to regularly send its navy into the region, has also waded into the dispute, sending its ships into the South China Sea three to five times a year. In August, the airforce will stage its biggest-ever exercises in southeast Asia as part of a strategy to mark France's presence in a region that is home to 1.5 million French citizens in the country's overseas territories. Three Rafale fighter jets, one A400M troop transporter and a C135 refuelling tanker will fly from Australia to India, with several stop-offs along the way. The sea and air operations follow a visit by President Emmanuel Macron last month to Australia, where he spoke of the need to protect the Indo-Pacific region from "hegemony" -- a veiled reference to Beijing's growing might. He stressed that France, which will be the last country in the EU after Britain leaves the bloc to have territories in the Pacific, did not want to antagonise China. But a "strong Indo-Pacific axis" was needed to ensure respect for freedom of navigation and aviation in the region, he told Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Macron appears to be "realistically assessing the growing Chinese challenge", said Jonas Parello-Plesner, a researcher from the US-based Hudson Institute who was an observer on the recent French navy voyage. "This is a welcome change from his predecessors, who were enthralled by the business and investment opportunities in China," he wrote in The Wall Street Journal. But France had already began to push back against China's expansionism before Macron took power. Since 2014, the navy has sailed regularly through the South China Sea as part of its stated bid to uphold a rules-based maritime order. In 2016, then French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (now the foreign minister) called on other European navies to develop a regular and visible presence in the South China Sea. Besides protecting navigation, France has cited the need to defend the interests of its citizens scattered across five French territories in the Pacific, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia. "This region is also our home," current Defence Minister Florence Parly said during a visit to Singapore in early June. Valerie Niquet, an expert on the Asia-Pacific region at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris, said France's growing assertiveness showed the US was no longer the only Western power "getting involved in the area". "Faced with China the US obviously plays the main deterrent role, but it's not pointless or trivial for a power like France, a permanent member of the (UN) Security Council, to take a firm, principled position and carry out concrete actions," she said, predicting that it would "marginalise China's position a little bit more". Analysts point to another factor underpinning France's growing activism in the Indo-Pacific region: the need to show buyers of French arms that Paris has their back. In 2016, India agreed buy 36 Rafale fighter jets and Australia signed a deal worth 50 billion Australian dollars ($37 billion, 31 billion euros) for 12 next-generation French submarines. "That is also doubtlessly pushing France to be a lot firmer on subjects that, up until recently, were broached with great care," Niquet said.

France challenges Beijing in South China Sea

Taiwan on Monday called for the militarization of the South China Sea to stop and denied having plans to lease Taiping Island in the disputed maritime area to the United States.

In a statement, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said that the South China Sea disputes must be resolved in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the freedom of navigation and overflight, while calling for the militarization in the area to be stopped.

In addition, Taiwan said that it has never had plans to allow any foreign country, including the United States, to use Taiping Island, a Taiwan-controlled islet that forms part of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, and that Washington has never proposed this idea.

The Taiwanese government also called on the media not to spread false news that could disrupt its ties with China or worsen the disputes in the South China Sea, and reiterated the policy of using Taiping Island for humanitarian aid and international scientific research.

At the beginning of June, a think tank linked to the Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party proposed the idea of leasing the islet to the US amid China's growing diplomatic and military strength in the area. 
Taiwan has control over two islands in the South China Sea - Pratas and Taiping - and claims sovereignty over this strategic area along with China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

In a statement, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said that the South China Sea disputes must be resolved in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the freedom of navigation and overflight, while calling for the militarization in the area to be stopped

Taiwan on Monday called for the militarization of the South China Sea to stop and denied having plans to lease Taiping Island in the disputed maritime area to the United States. In a statement, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said that the South China Sea disputes must be resolved in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the freedom of navigation and overflight, while calling for the militarization in the area to be stopped. In addition, Taiwan said that it has never had plans to allow any foreign country, including the United States, to use Taiping Island, a Taiwan-controlled islet that forms part of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, and that Washington has never proposed this idea. The Taiwanese government also called on the media not to spread false news that could disrupt its ties with China or worsen the disputes in the South China Sea, and reiterated the policy of using Taiping Island for humanitarian aid and international scientific research. At the beginning of June, a think tank linked to the Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party proposed the idea of leasing the islet to the US amid China's growing diplomatic and military strength in the area. Taiwan has control over two islands in the South China Sea - Pratas and Taiping - and claims sovereignty over this strategic area along with China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

Taiwan condemns militarisation in South China Sea

By:&nbsp;Adam Ni*

At a top regional security forum on Saturday, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said China’s recent militarisation efforts in the disputed South China Sea were intended to intimidate and coerce regional countries.

Mattis told the Shangri-La Dialogue that China’s actions stood in "stark contrast with the openness of [the US] strategy," and warned of "much larger consequences" if China continued its current approach.

As an "initial response", China’s navy has been disinvited by the US from the upcoming 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the world’s largest international naval exercise.

It is important to understand the context of the current tensions and the strategic stakes for both China and the US.

In recent years, China has sought to bolster its control over the South China Sea, where a number of claimants have overlapping territorial claims with China, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan.

China's efforts have continued unabated, despite rising tensions and international protests. Just recently, China landed a long-range heavy bomber for the first time on an island in the disputed Paracels, and deployed anti-ship and anti-air missile systems to its outposts in the Spratly Islands.

China’s air force has also stepped up its drills and patrols in the skies over the South China Sea.

While China is not the only claimant militarising the disputed region, no one else comes remotely close to the ambition, scale and speed of China's efforts.

China’s strategy

The South China Sea has long been coveted by China (and others) due to its strategic importance for trade and military power, as well as its abundant resources. According to one estimate, US$3.4 trillion in trade passed through the South China Sea in 2016, representing 21 per cent of the global total.

China’s goal in the South China Sea can be summarised with one word: control.

In order to achieve this, China is undertaking a coordinated, long-term effort to assert its dominance in the region, including the building of artificial islands, civil and military infrastructure, and the deployment of military ships and aircraft to the region.

While politicians of other countries such as the US, Philippines and Australia espouse fiery rhetoric to protest China’s actions, Beijing is focusing on actively transforming the physical and power geography of the South China Sea.

In fact, according to the new commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Philip Davidson, China’s efforts have been so successful that it "is now capable of controlling the South China Sea in all scenarios short of war with the US".

America’s declining relevance

China’s efforts are hard to counter because it has employed an incremental approach to cementing its control in the South China Sea. None of its actions would individually justify a US military response that could escalate to war. In any case, the human and economic cost of such a conflict would be immense.

The inability of the US to respond effectively to China’s moves has eroded its credibility in the region. It has also fed a narrative that the US is not "here to stay" in Asia. If the US is serious about countering China, then Mattis’ rhetoric must be followed by action.

First, the US should clearly articulate its red lines to China and others on the kinds of activities that are unacceptable in the South China Sea. Then it must be willing to enforce such red lines, while being mindful of the risks.

Second, the US needs to renew its efforts to cooperate with allies in the region to build capacity and demonstrate a coordinated commitment to stand in the face of China’s challenge.

Third, the US needs to deploy military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, such as advanced missile systems, which would reduce the military advantages gained by China through the militarisation of the South China Sea features.

Long-term consequences

China’s tightening control over the South China Sea is worrying for a number of regional countries. For many, the shipping routes that run through the South China Sea are the bloodlines of their economies.

Moreover, the shifting balance of power will enable Beijing to settle its territorial disputes in the region for good. Without a doubt, China is willing to use its new-found power to change the status quo in its favour, even at the expense of its weaker neighbours.

Control of the South China Sea also allows Beijing to better project its military power across South-East Asia, the western Pacific and parts of Oceania. This would make it more costly for the US and its allies to take action against China, for example, in scenarios involving Taiwan.

On a higher level, China’s assertive approach to the South China Sea demonstrates Beijing’s increasing confidence and its willingness to flaunt international norms that it considers inconvenient or contrary to its interests.

There is little doubt China is becoming the new dominant power in Asia. Its rise has benefited millions in the region and should be welcomed. But we should also be wary of Beijing’s approach to territorial disputes and grievances if it employs military and economic intimidation and coercion.

If we want to live in a "world where big fish neither eat nor intimidate the small", then there must be consequences for countries, including China, when they flaunt international norms and seek to settle disagreements with force.

It may be too late to turn the tide in the South China Sea and reverse China’s gains. No one would run such a risk. But it is not too late to impose penalties on China for further destabilising the region through its actions in the South China Sea.

The challenge is to figure out how to do that, and what we would be willing to risk to achieve it.

Adam Ni is a Researcher, Strategic and Defense Studies Centre, Australian National University.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original <a href="https://theconversation.com/despite-strong-words-the-us-has-few-options-left-to-reverse-chinas-gains-in-the-south-china-sea-97089">article</a>.)

The South China Sea has long been coveted by China (and others) due to its strategic importance for trade and military power, as well as its abundant resources

By: Adam Ni* At a top regional security forum on Saturday, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said China’s recent militarisation efforts in the disputed South China Sea were intended to intimidate and coerce regional countries. Mattis told the Shangri-La Dialogue that China’s actions stood in "stark contrast with the openness of [the US] strategy," and warned of "much larger consequences" if China continued its current approach. As an "initial response", China’s navy has been disinvited by the US from the upcoming 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the world’s largest international naval exercise. It is important to understand the context of the current tensions and the strategic stakes for both China and the US. In recent years, China has sought to bolster its control over the South China Sea, where a number of claimants have overlapping territorial claims with China, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan. China's efforts have continued unabated, despite rising tensions and international protests. Just recently, China landed a long-range heavy bomber for the first time on an island in the disputed Paracels, and deployed anti-ship and anti-air missile systems to its outposts in the Spratly Islands. China’s air force has also stepped up its drills and patrols in the skies over the South China Sea. While China is not the only claimant militarising the disputed region, no one else comes remotely close to the ambition, scale and speed of China's efforts. China’s strategy The South China Sea has long been coveted by China (and others) due to its strategic importance for trade and military power, as well as its abundant resources. According to one estimate, US$3.4 trillion in trade passed through the South China Sea in 2016, representing 21 per cent of the global total. China’s goal in the South China Sea can be summarised with one word: control. In order to achieve this, China is undertaking a coordinated, long-term effort to assert its dominance in the region, including the building of artificial islands, civil and military infrastructure, and the deployment of military ships and aircraft to the region. While politicians of other countries such as the US, Philippines and Australia espouse fiery rhetoric to protest China’s actions, Beijing is focusing on actively transforming the physical and power geography of the South China Sea. In fact, according to the new commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Philip Davidson, China’s efforts have been so successful that it "is now capable of controlling the South China Sea in all scenarios short of war with the US". America’s declining relevance China’s efforts are hard to counter because it has employed an incremental approach to cementing its control in the South China Sea. None of its actions would individually justify a US military response that could escalate to war. In any case, the human and economic cost of such a conflict would be immense. The inability of the US to respond effectively to China’s moves has eroded its credibility in the region. It has also fed a narrative that the US is not "here to stay" in Asia. If the US is serious about countering China, then Mattis’ rhetoric must be followed by action. First, the US should clearly articulate its red lines to China and others on the kinds of activities that are unacceptable in the South China Sea. Then it must be willing to enforce such red lines, while being mindful of the risks. Second, the US needs to renew its efforts to cooperate with allies in the region to build capacity and demonstrate a coordinated commitment to stand in the face of China’s challenge. Third, the US needs to deploy military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, such as advanced missile systems, which would reduce the military advantages gained by China through the militarisation of the South China Sea features. Long-term consequences China’s tightening control over the South China Sea is worrying for a number of regional countries. For many, the shipping routes that run through the South China Sea are the bloodlines of their economies. Moreover, the shifting balance of power will enable Beijing to settle its territorial disputes in the region for good. Without a doubt, China is willing to use its new-found power to change the status quo in its favour, even at the expense of its weaker neighbours. Control of the South China Sea also allows Beijing to better project its military power across South-East Asia, the western Pacific and parts of Oceania. This would make it more costly for the US and its allies to take action against China, for example, in scenarios involving Taiwan. On a higher level, China’s assertive approach to the South China Sea demonstrates Beijing’s increasing confidence and its willingness to flaunt international norms that it considers inconvenient or contrary to its interests. There is little doubt China is becoming the new dominant power in Asia. Its rise has benefited millions in the region and should be welcomed. But we should also be wary of Beijing’s approach to territorial disputes and grievances if it employs military and economic intimidation and coercion. If we want to live in a "world where big fish neither eat nor intimidate the small", then there must be consequences for countries, including China, when they flaunt international norms and seek to settle disagreements with force. It may be too late to turn the tide in the South China Sea and reverse China’s gains. No one would run such a risk. But it is not too late to impose penalties on China for further destabilising the region through its actions in the South China Sea. The challenge is to figure out how to do that, and what we would be willing to risk to achieve it. Adam Ni is a Researcher, Strategic and Defense Studies Centre, Australian National University. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.)

Opinion: Despite strong words, US has few options left to reverse China's gains in South China Sea

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-respite-in-cross-border-firing-will-be-constrained-to-revoke-ceasefire-agreement-mos-hansraj-ahir-142002">No respite in cross-border </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-respite-in-cross-border-firing-will-be-constrained-to-revoke-ceasefire-agreement-mos-hansraj-ahir-142002">firing,</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-respite-in-cross-border-firing-will-be-constrained-to-revoke-ceasefire-agreement-mos-hansraj-ahir-142002"> will be constrained to revoke ceasefire agreement: MoS Home Hansraj Ahir</a>

After India and Pakistan DGMS announced a ceasefire agreement last week, minister of state for home affairs(MoS) Hansraj Ahir said the government will be "constrained to revoke the ceasefire agreement" in view of cross-border firing.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008">France, </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008">UK</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008"> to send ships to </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008">South</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-uk-to-send-ships-to-south-china-sea-french-minister-142008"> China Sea: French minister</a>

As US defence secretary Jim Mattis engaged in a war of words with China over the South China Sea, French armed forces minister said French maritime task group along with British ships will visit Singapore and then sail to South China Sea.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/6-people-killed-by-erupting-volcano-in-guatemala-141997">Watch: 6 people killed by erupting volcano in Guatemala</a>

Six people are dead or missing and 20 have been injured after Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted on Sunday sending a river of lava flowing into a village.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/donald-trump-to-hold-ramzan-dinner-after-skipping-it-last-year-142004">Donald Trump to hold Ramzan dinner after skipping it last year</a>

President Donald Trump will host an Iftar dinner on Wednesday at the White House, in celebration of Ramzan, an official said.&nbsp

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-not-wrong-in-accepting-rss-invite-congress-leader-142019">Pranab Mukherjee 'not wrong' in accepting RSS invite: Congress leader</a>

Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde on Sunday said former President Pranab Mukherjee accepting an invite to attend an RSS event was "not wrong" as he was a secular person and a good thinker.

&nbsp

No respite in cross-border firing, will be constrained to revoke ceasefire agreement: MoS Home Hansraj Ahir After India and Pakistan DGMS announced a ceasefire agreement last week, minister of state for home affairs(MoS) Hansraj Ahir said the government will be "constrained to revoke the ceasefire agreement" in view of cross-border firing. France, UK to send ships to South China Sea: French minister As US defence secretary Jim Mattis engaged in a war of words with China over the South China Sea, French armed forces minister said French maritime task group along with British ships will visit Singapore and then sail to South China Sea. Watch: 6 people killed by erupting volcano in Guatemala Six people are dead or missing and 20 have been injured after Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted on Sunday sending a river of lava flowing into a village. Donald Trump to hold Ramzan dinner after skipping it last year President Donald Trump will host an Iftar dinner on Wednesday at the White House, in celebration of Ramzan, an official said. Pranab Mukherjee 'not wrong' in accepting RSS invite: Congress leader Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde on Sunday said former President Pranab Mukherjee accepting an invite to attend an RSS event was "not wrong" as he was a secular person and a good thinker.

News brief: Read big stories of the day

As US defence secretary <a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675">Jim Mattis engaged in a war of words</a> with China over the South China Sea, French armed forces minister said French maritime task group along with British ships will visit Singapore and then sail to South China Sea.

Speaking at the annual defence forum in Singapore, French minister Florence Parly said: "By exercising our freedom of navigation, we also place ourselves in the position of a persistent objector to the creation of any claim to de facto sovereignty on the islands."

Although Parley was quick to add that France had no role to play in the South China Sea dispute, the minister said her country was seeking to "broaden" effort “on a regular basis with allies and friends”.

British Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson said that nations must play by the rules, adding that there are "consequences for not doing so". The minister told the summit that three warships would be sent to the region.

China has been conducting regular drills in the South China Sea. It claims Spratly islands in the disputed area rich in mineral resources which is contested by other countries namely - &nbsp;Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, newswire Reuters reported that the US is planning to intensify patrols in order to challenge China. The newswire quoting two officials said the US inteded to carry out closer surveillance of Chinese facilities which included jamming signals and positioning sophisticated radars in the area.

US Defence Secretary had openly questioned China's policy at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The defence secretary said: "China's policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness that our strategy promotes, it calls into question China's broader goals."

"Despite China's claims to the contrary, the placement of weapon systems is tied directly to military use for the purposes of intimidation and coercion," Mattis added.

China hit back saying it was within its sovereign right to deploy troops and weapons on islands and reefs in the South China Sea.

"It's allowed by international law. Anyone who makes carping comments on this is attempting to interfere in China's internal affairs. It's not worthy of refuting," said He Lei, vice president, Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GSEIFT3pEi0" width="560"></iframe>

China hit back saying it was within its sovereign right to deploy troops and weapons on the islands

As US defence secretary Jim Mattis engaged in a war of words with China over the South China Sea, French armed forces minister said French maritime task group along with British ships will visit Singapore and then sail to South China Sea. Speaking at the annual defence forum in Singapore, French minister Florence Parly said: "By exercising our freedom of navigation, we also place ourselves in the position of a persistent objector to the creation of any claim to de facto sovereignty on the islands." Although Parley was quick to add that France had no role to play in the South China Sea dispute, the minister said her country was seeking to "broaden" effort “on a regular basis with allies and friends”. British Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson said that nations must play by the rules, adding that there are "consequences for not doing so". The minister told the summit that three warships would be sent to the region. China has been conducting regular drills in the South China Sea. It claims Spratly islands in the disputed area rich in mineral resources which is contested by other countries namely - Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan. Meanwhile, newswire Reuters reported that the US is planning to intensify patrols in order to challenge China. The newswire quoting two officials said the US inteded to carry out closer surveillance of Chinese facilities which included jamming signals and positioning sophisticated radars in the area. US Defence Secretary had openly questioned China's policy at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The defence secretary said: "China's policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness that our strategy promotes, it calls into question China's broader goals." "Despite China's claims to the contrary, the placement of weapon systems is tied directly to military use for the purposes of intimidation and coercion," Mattis added. China hit back saying it was within its sovereign right to deploy troops and weapons on islands and reefs in the South China Sea. "It's allowed by international law. Anyone who makes carping comments on this is attempting to interfere in China's internal affairs. It's not worthy of refuting," said He Lei, vice president, Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

France, UK to send ships to South China Sea: French minister

The United States is willing to work with China on a "results-oriented" relationship, but Beijing's actions in the South China Sea call into question its intent and the Pentagon will "compete vigorously" if needed, US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday.

The comments by Mattis, speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, come at a time of increased tension between the two nations in the South China Sea and highlight how President Donald Trump's administration is looking to balance Chinese cooperation on North Korea while dealing with Beijing's activities in the disputed sea.

"China's policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness our strategy promises, it calls into question China's broader goals," Mattis said in prepared remarks, adding that he would be travelling to China soon.

"The US&nbsp;will continue to pursue a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China, cooperating when possible and competing vigorously where we must... of course we recognise any sustainable Indo-Pacific order has a role for China," he said.

Last month, China's air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the region, triggering concern from Vietnam and the Philippines.

Satellite photographs taken on May 12 showed China appeared to have deployed truck-mounted surface-to-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles at Woody Island in the disputed sea.

"Despite China's claims to the contrary, the placement of these weapon systems is tied directly to military use for the purpose of intimidation and coercion," Mattis said.

Reuters first reported that two US&nbsp;Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday.

While the operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a particularly sensitive time and just days after the Pentagon disinvited China from a major US-hosted naval drill.

Mattis said this was just an "initial response."

He also reiterated that the Pentagon was committed to working with Taiwan to provide articles and services needed for its self-defence, comments that are likely to anger China.

China's hostility towards self-ruled Taiwan has grown since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won presidential elections on the island in 2016. China claims Taiwan as its own and it is one of its most sensitive issues.

Calming allies

Trump said on Friday an unprecedented nuclear arms summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the United States pulled out of will now go ahead as scheduled on June 12 in Singapore, adding another twist to a high-stakes diplomatic dance.

Mattis only made a glancing reference to North Korea, reiterating that it was a diplomatically led effort and the objective remained the "complete verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula."

He did, however, seek to calm nervous allies in the region.

South Korea and Japan have expressed concern that Trump may put US&nbsp;security interests ahead of theirs in pursuing a deal with North Korea.

"We are focused on modernising our alliance with both Republic of Korea and Japan, transforming these critical alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st-century," Mattis said.

He said that the United States would work to improve interoperability with allies, work to improve the rule of law and transparent governance that threatens economic growth and increase investment in the region.

"America has expanded its engagement and deepened its connectivity across the region... so make no mistake, America is in the Indo-Pacific to stay, this is our priority theatre, our interests and the region's are inextricably intertwined," Mattis said.

The comments by Mattis, speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, come at a time of increased tension between the two nations in the South China Sea

The United States is willing to work with China on a "results-oriented" relationship, but Beijing's actions in the South China Sea call into question its intent and the Pentagon will "compete vigorously" if needed, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday. The comments by Mattis, speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, come at a time of increased tension between the two nations in the South China Sea and highlight how President Donald Trump's administration is looking to balance Chinese cooperation on North Korea while dealing with Beijing's activities in the disputed sea. "China's policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness our strategy promises, it calls into question China's broader goals," Mattis said in prepared remarks, adding that he would be travelling to China soon. "The US will continue to pursue a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China, cooperating when possible and competing vigorously where we must... of course we recognise any sustainable Indo-Pacific order has a role for China," he said. Last month, China's air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the region, triggering concern from Vietnam and the Philippines. Satellite photographs taken on May 12 showed China appeared to have deployed truck-mounted surface-to-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles at Woody Island in the disputed sea. "Despite China's claims to the contrary, the placement of these weapon systems is tied directly to military use for the purpose of intimidation and coercion," Mattis said. Reuters first reported that two US Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday. While the operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a particularly sensitive time and just days after the Pentagon disinvited China from a major US-hosted naval drill. Mattis said this was just an "initial response." He also reiterated that the Pentagon was committed to working with Taiwan to provide articles and services needed for its self-defence, comments that are likely to anger China. China's hostility towards self-ruled Taiwan has grown since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won presidential elections on the island in 2016. China claims Taiwan as its own and it is one of its most sensitive issues. Calming allies Trump said on Friday an unprecedented nuclear arms summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the United States pulled out of will now go ahead as scheduled on June 12 in Singapore, adding another twist to a high-stakes diplomatic dance. Mattis only made a glancing reference to North Korea, reiterating that it was a diplomatically led effort and the objective remained the "complete verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula." He did, however, seek to calm nervous allies in the region. South Korea and Japan have expressed concern that Trump may put US security interests ahead of theirs in pursuing a deal with North Korea. "We are focused on modernising our alliance with both Republic of Korea and Japan, transforming these critical alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st-century," Mattis said. He said that the United States would work to improve interoperability with allies, work to improve the rule of law and transparent governance that threatens economic growth and increase investment in the region. "America has expanded its engagement and deepened its connectivity across the region... so make no mistake, America is in the Indo-Pacific to stay, this is our priority theatre, our interests and the region's are inextricably intertwined," Mattis said.

Mattis slams China on South China Sea, leaves door open for 'results oriented relationship'

As tensions between US and China escalate <a href="http://wionews.com/world/philippines-says-ready-for-war-if-troops-harmed-in-disputed-south-china-sea-140935">over military drills in the South China Sea</a>, Lt. General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the US Joint Staff, said the US has a&nbsp;lot of experience in the Western Pacific taking down small islands.

"I would just say that the United States military's had a lot of experience in the Western Pacific taking down small islands," Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr said.&nbsp;

The general referring to the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/want-to-see-freedom-of-navigation-so-will-continue-operations-in-south-china-sea-us-140778">World War II campaign when the</a> US forces freed pacific islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa from the Japanese army, added that, "One shouldn't read anything more into that than a simple statement of historical fact."

In keeping with its larger foreign policy interests in the Pacific, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis met with &nbsp;Vietnam's Defence Minister, Ngô Xuân Lịch, on the sidelines of the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in order to reinforce Vietnam's "sovereignty over its own future".

China and the US have been trading barbs over the South China Sea conducting military drills close to disputed waters. The islands which have a significant strategic advantage are claimed by China, which is also contested by other countries in the region namely - Indonesia, &nbsp;Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The US has stationed two fleets in the Western Pacific with South China becoming a major flashpoint between China and the US. China has been bringing up artificial islands in the area, claiming it as their own complete with airstrips and surveillance equipment scaring other countries in the region.

The US aircraft carriers with F-18 Hornet, guided missiles and helicopters have been conducting sorties in the South China Sea while keeping a tab on the Chinese Air Force.

China for its part hit out against the US policy in the South China Sea saying, "who is really promoting 'militarisation' in the South China Sea? You can sharpen your eyes, and the answer is there without saying."&nbsp;

"Some people of the United States are hyping up the so-called China's 'militarization' in the South China Sea," the Chinese spokesman said, adding that it was like a thief is crying 'stop thief'.

"Is the freedom of navigation endowed by the international law really what the United States wants, or the 'freedom of rampage' in its dictionary of hegemony?," the Chinese spokesman asserted.

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gznb02wsdhk" width="560"></iframe>

The US has stationed two fleets in the Western Pacific with South China becoming a major flashpoint between China and the US.

As tensions between US and China escalate over military drills in the South China Sea, Lt. General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the US Joint Staff, said the US has a lot of experience in the Western Pacific taking down small islands. "I would just say that the United States military's had a lot of experience in the Western Pacific taking down small islands," Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr said. The general referring to the World War II campaign when the US forces freed pacific islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa from the Japanese army, added that, "One shouldn't read anything more into that than a simple statement of historical fact." In keeping with its larger foreign policy interests in the Pacific, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis met with Vietnam's Defence Minister, Ngô Xuân Lịch, on the sidelines of the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in order to reinforce Vietnam's "sovereignty over its own future". China and the US have been trading barbs over the South China Sea conducting military drills close to disputed waters. The islands which have a significant strategic advantage are claimed by China, which is also contested by other countries in the region namely - Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. The US has stationed two fleets in the Western Pacific with South China becoming a major flashpoint between China and the US. China has been bringing up artificial islands in the area, claiming it as their own complete with airstrips and surveillance equipment scaring other countries in the region. The US aircraft carriers with F-18 Hornet, guided missiles and helicopters have been conducting sorties in the South China Sea while keeping a tab on the Chinese Air Force. China for its part hit out against the US policy in the South China Sea saying, "who is really promoting 'militarisation' in the South China Sea? You can sharpen your eyes, and the answer is there without saying." "Some people of the United States are hyping up the so-called China's 'militarization' in the South China Sea," the Chinese spokesman said, adding that it was like a thief is crying 'stop thief'. "Is the freedom of navigation endowed by the international law really what the United States wants, or the 'freedom of rampage' in its dictionary of hegemony?," the Chinese spokesman asserted.

South China Sea row: US has lots of experience in 'taking down small islands' in Western Pacific, says US general

Tensions between US and China over South China would continue to brew after defence secretary Jim Mattis said the United States will continue its &nbsp"freedom of navigation" drills in the contentious area.

"You'll notice there's only one country that seems to take active steps to rebuff (such operations) or state their resentment of them, but it's international waters and a lot of nations want to see freedom of navigation, so we will continue that," Mattis said.

US warships have been conducting drills in the South China Sea, an act which has greatly angered China. On Sunday, two US warships sailed near the South China Sea islands claimed by China.

The Higgins guided-missile destroyer and the Antietam, a guided-missile cruiser reportedly came within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands.

"When they (Chinese) do things that are opaque to the rest of us, then we cannot cooperate in areas that we would otherwise cooperate in," Mattis said, adding,"we are going out of our way to cooperate with Pacific nations, that's the way we do business in the world, but we are also going to confront what we believe is out of step with international law."&nbsp

China's territorial claims in the area is disputed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. China on its part has been flying its bombers on the disputed islands as part of its training exercise.

China's territorial claims in the area is disputed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Tensions between US and China over South China would continue to brew after defence secretary Jim Mattis said the United States will continue its "freedom of navigation" drills in the contentious area. "You'll notice there's only one country that seems to take active steps to rebuff (such operations) or state their resentment of them, but it's international waters and a lot of nations want to see freedom of navigation, so we will continue that," Mattis said. US warships have been conducting drills in the South China Sea, an act which has greatly angered China. On Sunday, two US warships sailed near the South China Sea islands claimed by China. The Higgins guided-missile destroyer and the Antietam, a guided-missile cruiser reportedly came within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands. "When they (Chinese) do things that are opaque to the rest of us, then we cannot cooperate in areas that we would otherwise cooperate in," Mattis said, adding,"we are going out of our way to cooperate with Pacific nations, that's the way we do business in the world, but we are also going to confront what we believe is out of step with international law." China's territorial claims in the area is disputed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. China on its part has been flying its bombers on the disputed islands as part of its training exercise.

Want to see freedom of navigation so will continue operations in South China Sea: US

The Philippines is prepared to go to war if military personnel are harmed in disputed waters, a top security official said&nbsp;on Wednesday, firing back at criticism the government was going soft on China and allowing it to militarise the South China Sea.

President Rodrigo Duterte has taken flak in recent weeks for not confronting Beijing following news that China had installed missile systems on artificial islands in the busy waterway, including areas within Manila's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Political opponents are outraged at his government's failure even to lodge a diplomatic protest, but Duterte, unlike his predecessor, enjoys good relations with Beijing and wants its investment, often saying he cannot afford to go to war with a far superior China.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said the Philippines would always try to pursue talks to defuse tension, but war could not be ruled out as a last resort if its military was provoked or aggrieved.

"The other night, the president said if his troops are harmed, that could be his red line," Esperon told reporters.

The remarks echoed&nbsp;Monday's&nbsp;comments by Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to foreign service members that Duterte had told China he would not allow any unsanctioned construction in the Scarborough Shoal or resource extraction in areas where the Philippines had sovereign rights.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which about $3-trillion worth of goods passes every year. It has made substantial progress in fortifying its manmade islands in the past few years, which it says it has the right to defend.

Last week, the Philippines expressed "serious concern" over the presence of China's strategic bombers in the disputed waters, but its response to the installation of missile systems was muted.

Rodrigo Duterte has taken flak in recent weeks for not confronting Beijing following news that China had installed missile systems on artificial islands in the busy waterway

The Philippines is prepared to go to war if military personnel are harmed in disputed waters, a top security official said on Wednesday, firing back at criticism the government was going soft on China and allowing it to militarise the South China Sea. President Rodrigo Duterte has taken flak in recent weeks for not confronting Beijing following news that China had installed missile systems on artificial islands in the busy waterway, including areas within Manila's Exclusive Economic Zone. Political opponents are outraged at his government's failure even to lodge a diplomatic protest, but Duterte, unlike his predecessor, enjoys good relations with Beijing and wants its investment, often saying he cannot afford to go to war with a far superior China. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said the Philippines would always try to pursue talks to defuse tension, but war could not be ruled out as a last resort if its military was provoked or aggrieved. "The other night, the president said if his troops are harmed, that could be his red line," Esperon told reporters. The remarks echoed Monday's comments by Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to foreign service members that Duterte had told China he would not allow any unsanctioned construction in the Scarborough Shoal or resource extraction in areas where the Philippines had sovereign rights. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which about $3-trillion worth of goods passes every year. It has made substantial progress in fortifying its manmade islands in the past few years, which it says it has the right to defend. Last week, the Philippines expressed "serious concern" over the presence of China's strategic bombers in the disputed waters, but its response to the installation of missile systems was muted.

Ready for war if troops harmed in disputed South China Sea: Philippines

After more than four years of fruitless efforts to find the missing Malaysian airline MH370, Malaysian authorities will formally end the search of missing airline on Tuesday.

The&nbsp;Malaysian government will review the investigation after the search will be done.

Malaysia government has so far said that it has no plans to begin any new searches.

The second attempt of the search is being carried in May after Malaysia agreed in January to pay Ocean Infinity a US-based exploration firm to carry out the investigation if it finds the plane within 90 days.&nbsp;

They are still conducting the operation in the Indian Ocean where experts believe that flight might have crashed.

The Boeing MH370 went missing in 2014 while flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Beijing, China. There were 239 passengers on board.

Initial search operations were happening&nbsp;in South China Sea but after the analysts revealed that the plane diverted to South the search shifted to the Indian Ocean. There is no report why the pilot shifted from its route.

However, there is speculations that someone delibertaely switched off the transponder of the plane and diverted it over the Indian Ocean.

The company is conducting unpaid search operation and it would have recieved $70 million if it had found the weackage and both black boxes in 90 days which ends today.

The company, however, has asked for an extension till May 29.

Many pieces of the aircraft debris have also been collected from Indian Ocean islands and along Africa's east coast, with at least three confirmed as being from the missing plane. 
&nbsp;

Malaysian government has so far said that it has no plans to begin any new searches

After more than four years of fruitless efforts to find the missing Malaysian airline MH370, Malaysian authorities will formally end the search of missing airline on Tuesday. The Malaysian government will review the investigation after the search will be done. Malaysia government has so far said that it has no plans to begin any new searches. The second attempt of the search is being carried in May after Malaysia agreed in January to pay Ocean Infinity a US-based exploration firm to carry out the investigation if it finds the plane within 90 days. They are still conducting the operation in the Indian Ocean where experts believe that flight might have crashed. The Boeing MH370 went missing in 2014 while flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Beijing, China. There were 239 passengers on board. Initial search operations were happening in South China Sea but after the analysts revealed that the plane diverted to South the search shifted to the Indian Ocean. There is no report why the pilot shifted from its route. However, there is speculations that someone delibertaely switched off the transponder of the plane and diverted it over the Indian Ocean. The company is conducting unpaid search operation and it would have recieved $70 million if it had found the weackage and both black boxes in 90 days which ends today. The company, however, has asked for an extension till May 29. Many pieces of the aircraft debris have also been collected from Indian Ocean islands and along Africa's east coast, with at least three confirmed as being from the missing plane.

Malaysia ends search of missing airline MH370

Two US&nbsp;Navy&nbsp;warships&nbsp;sailed&nbsp;near&nbsp;South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday, two US&nbsp;officials told Reuters, in a move likely to anger Beijing as President Donald Trump seeks its continued cooperation on North Korea. 
 
The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters. 
 
While this operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a particularly sensitive time and just days after the Pentagon uninvited China from a major US-hosted naval drill. 
 
The US&nbsp;officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Higgins guided-missile destroyer and the Antietam, a guided-missile cruiser, came within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands, among a string of islets, reefs and shoals over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbors. 
 
The US&nbsp;military vessels carried out maneuvering operations&nbsp;near&nbsp;Tree, Lincoln, Triton and Woody islands in the Paracels, one of the officials said. 
 
Trump's cancellation of a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has put further strain on US-China ties amid a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies. 
 
Critics of the operations, known as a "freedom of navigation," have said that they have little impact on&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;behavior and are largely symbolic. 
 
The US&nbsp;military has a long-standing position that its operations are carried out throughout the world, including in areas claimed by allies, and that they are separate from political considerations. 
 
Satellite photographs taken on May 12 showed China appeared to have deployed truck-mounted surface-to-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles at Woody Island. 
 
Earlier this month, China's air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the region, triggering concern from Vietnam and the Philippines. 
 
Pentagon officials have long complained that China has not been candid enough about its rapid military build-up and using South China Sea islands to gather intelligence in the region. 
 
Chinese&nbsp;officials have accused Washington of viewing their country in suspicious, "Cold War" terms. 
 
China's claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in shipborne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. 
 
The United States has said it would like to see more international participation in freedom-of-navigation operations in the South China Sea. 
&nbsp;

The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters

Two US Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday, two US officials told Reuters, in a move likely to anger Beijing as President Donald Trump seeks its continued cooperation on North Korea. The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters. While this operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a particularly sensitive time and just days after the Pentagon uninvited China from a major US-hosted naval drill. The US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Higgins guided-missile destroyer and the Antietam, a guided-missile cruiser, came within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands, among a string of islets, reefs and shoals over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbors. The US military vessels carried out maneuvering operations near Tree, Lincoln, Triton and Woody islands in the Paracels, one of the officials said. Trump's cancellation of a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has put further strain on US-China ties amid a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies. Critics of the operations, known as a "freedom of navigation," have said that they have little impact on Chinese behavior and are largely symbolic. The US military has a long-standing position that its operations are carried out throughout the world, including in areas claimed by allies, and that they are separate from political considerations. Satellite photographs taken on May 12 showed China appeared to have deployed truck-mounted surface-to-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles at Woody Island. Earlier this month, China's air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the region, triggering concern from Vietnam and the Philippines. Pentagon officials have long complained that China has not been candid enough about its rapid military build-up and using South China Sea islands to gather intelligence in the region. Chinese officials have accused Washington of viewing their country in suspicious, "Cold War" terms. China's claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in shipborne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. The United States has said it would like to see more international participation in freedom-of-navigation operations in the South China Sea.

US warships sail near South China Sea islands claimed by Beijing

Malaysia is haggling over the terms of a $14 billion rail deal with its Chinese partners and can reduce its ballooning national debts by $50 billion by doing away with megaprojects, its prime minister said in an interview published on Saturday.

Mahathir Mohamad, the 92-year-old who triumphed over scandal-plagued Najib Razak in elections earlier this month, has made it a priority to cut the national debt and pledged to review major projects agreed by the previous government.

Work on the 55 billion ringgit ($13.82 billion) East Coast Rail Link - the largest such project in the country and a major part of Beijing's Belt and Road infrastructure push - started last year.

The project was planned to stretch 688 kilometres (430 miles) connecting the South China Sea at the Thai border in the east with the strategic shipping routes of the Straits of Malacca in the west.

"We are renegotiating the terms," Mahathir told the financial newspaper The Edge. "The terms are very damaging to our economy."

The project is being built by China Communications Construction Co Ltd, and is being mainly financed by a loan from China Exim Bank.

Mahathir also questioned the need for the project in the first place.

"He (Najib) knew very well that the ECRL, for example, is not something we could afford. It is not going to serve any purpose, it is not going to give us any returns," said Mahathir.

Addressing the need to reduce the national debt and liabilities - which the government puts at around one trillion ringgit ($251.32 billion) or 80 percent of its GDP - Mahathir said "at one go we can reduce it by 200 billion ringgit ($50.26 billion) by doing away with all these huge projects".

Mahathir said Malaysia is also going to look into how it can reduce the cost of any potential exit from a deal with Singapore for a high-speed rail (HSR) to link its capital Kuala Lumpur with the city-state, said Mahathir.

The project, valued by analysts at about $17 billion, is currently out for tender and is scheduled to be completed by 2026.

"The terms of the agreement (for the HSR) are such that if we decide to drop the project, it will cost us a lot of money," said Mahathir.

"So we are going to find out how we can reduce the amount of money we have to pay for breaking the agreement."

Malaysia is haggling over the terms of a $14 billion rail deal with its Chinese partners and can reduce its ballooning national debts by $50 billion by doing away with mega projects, its prime minister said in an interview published on Saturday

Malaysia is haggling over the terms of a $14 billion rail deal with its Chinese partners and can reduce its ballooning national debts by $50 billion by doing away with megaprojects, its prime minister said in an interview published on Saturday. Mahathir Mohamad, the 92-year-old who triumphed over scandal-plagued Najib Razak in elections earlier this month, has made it a priority to cut the national debt and pledged to review major projects agreed by the previous government. Work on the 55 billion ringgit ($13.82 billion) East Coast Rail Link - the largest such project in the country and a major part of Beijing's Belt and Road infrastructure push - started last year. The project was planned to stretch 688 kilometres (430 miles) connecting the South China Sea at the Thai border in the east with the strategic shipping routes of the Straits of Malacca in the west. "We are renegotiating the terms," Mahathir told the financial newspaper The Edge. "The terms are very damaging to our economy." The project is being built by China Communications Construction Co Ltd, and is being mainly financed by a loan from China Exim Bank. Mahathir also questioned the need for the project in the first place. "He (Najib) knew very well that the ECRL, for example, is not something we could afford. It is not going to serve any purpose, it is not going to give us any returns," said Mahathir. Addressing the need to reduce the national debt and liabilities - which the government puts at around one trillion ringgit ($251.32 billion) or 80 percent of its GDP - Mahathir said "at one go we can reduce it by 200 billion ringgit ($50.26 billion) by doing away with all these huge projects". Mahathir said Malaysia is also going to look into how it can reduce the cost of any potential exit from a deal with Singapore for a high-speed rail (HSR) to link its capital Kuala Lumpur with the city-state, said Mahathir. The project, valued by analysts at about $17 billion, is currently out for tender and is scheduled to be completed by 2026. "The terms of the agreement (for the HSR) are such that if we decide to drop the project, it will cost us a lot of money," said Mahathir. "So we are going to find out how we can reduce the amount of money we have to pay for breaking the agreement."

Malaysia renegotiating terms of major Belt-and-Road rail project: PM Mahathir

Chinese fighter pilots have carried out night landings on the country's first aircraft carrier, the official China Daily reported on Saturday, the latest demonstration of Beijing's push to modernise its military forces.

Pilots flying J-15 jets landed at night on the Liaoning, the official paper said citing a video posted by China's navy. It said this was a complex manoeuvre that marked a "huge leap towards gaining full combat capability".

China has ambitious plans to overhaul its armed forces as it ramps up its presence in the disputed South China Sea and around self-ruled Taiwan, an island China considers its own.

China's first domestically developed aircraft carrier set off on sea trials earlier this month. The Liaoning, which is expected to serve more as a training vessel, was bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998.

Its navy has also been taking an increasingly prominent role in recent months, with the Liaoning sailing around Taiwan and new Chinese warships popping up in far-flung places.

State media has quoted experts as saying China needs at least six carriers. The United States operates 10 and plans to build two more.

Many experts agree that developing such a force would be a decades-long endeavour but that the drive to bolster its forces at sea will be crucial in the longer term as China looks to erode U.S. military prominence in the region.

Chinese fighter pilots have carried out night landings on the country's first aircraft carrier, the official China Daily reported on Saturday, the latest demonstration of Beijing's push to modernise its military forces

Chinese fighter pilots have carried out night landings on the country's first aircraft carrier, the official China Daily reported on Saturday, the latest demonstration of Beijing's push to modernise its military forces. Pilots flying J-15 jets landed at night on the Liaoning, the official paper said citing a video posted by China's navy. It said this was a complex manoeuvre that marked a "huge leap towards gaining full combat capability". China has ambitious plans to overhaul its armed forces as it ramps up its presence in the disputed South China Sea and around self-ruled Taiwan, an island China considers its own. China's first domestically developed aircraft carrier set off on sea trials earlier this month. The Liaoning, which is expected to serve more as a training vessel, was bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998. Its navy has also been taking an increasingly prominent role in recent months, with the Liaoning sailing around Taiwan and new Chinese warships popping up in far-flung places. State media has quoted experts as saying China needs at least six carriers. The United States operates 10 and plans to build two more. Many experts agree that developing such a force would be a decades-long endeavour but that the drive to bolster its forces at sea will be crucial in the longer term as China looks to erode U.S. military prominence in the region.

Chinese J-15 jets complete night landings on carrier in push to modernise

The United States today "disinvited" China from participating in annual maritime exercises in the Pacific due to "continued militarization of the South China Sea," the Pentagon said.

The US has been couducting drills in the South China Sea even as China has been conducting military drills in the area and taking part in defence excercise in the Taiwan Straits.&nbsp

"China's continued militarization of disputed features in the South China Sea only serve to raise tensions and destabilize the region," Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Chris Logan said.

Last week, China reportedly landed several aircrafts at an airfield in the South China Sea area prompting the US to declare that China was engaging in "continued militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea".

China denied the US claim of "militarising". The area around the South China Sea is rich in oil and natural gas with several islands being claimed by Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia even as China has upped the ante with military drills.&nbsp

"We have disinvited the PLA Navy from the 2018 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise. China's behavior is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the RIMPAC exercise."

China has built several artificial islands in the disputed area fueling further tensions between countries who have accused it of playing brinkmanship.

China has built several artificial islands in the disputed area fueling further tensions between countries who have accused it of playing brinkmanship.

The United States today "disinvited" China from participating in annual maritime exercises in the Pacific due to "continued militarization of the South China Sea," the Pentagon said. The US has been couducting drills in the South China Sea even as China has been conducting military drills in the area and taking part in defence excercise in the Taiwan Straits. "China's continued militarization of disputed features in the South China Sea only serve to raise tensions and destabilize the region," Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Chris Logan said. Last week, China reportedly landed several aircrafts at an airfield in the South China Sea area prompting the US to declare that China was engaging in "continued militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea". China denied the US claim of "militarising". The area around the South China Sea is rich in oil and natural gas with several islands being claimed by Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia even as China has upped the ante with military drills. "We have disinvited the PLA Navy from the 2018 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise. China's behavior is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the RIMPAC exercise." China has built several artificial islands in the disputed area fueling further tensions between countries who have accused it of playing brinkmanship.

US 'disinvites' China from maritime exercise in the Pacific over South China Sea dispute

Beijing hit back at allegations it was "militarising" the South China Sea on Monday after landing bombers at an airbase in the contested waters, instead accusing Washington of increasing tensions with its own military footprint.

China on Friday for the first time landed several combat aircraft -- including the long-range, nuclear strike-capable H-6K -- at an island airfield in the sea, triggering international concern.

The move prompted immediate criticism from the US, with a Pentagon spokesman condemning China's "continued militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea".

But China was quick to dismiss concerns that the deployment had raised tensions in a region home to vital global shipping routes.

"The South China Sea islands are Chinese territories," foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told a regular briefing.

Lu said the movement of the bombers into the area was "part of the normal training for the Chinese military", and that the US "sending its own warships and planes to the region... poses a danger to other countries".&nbsp

Friday's takeoff and landing drills took place on Woody Island, according to Washington think-tank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.&nbsp

Woody Island is home to China's largest base in the Paracel Islands, which are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.&nbsp

Territorial disputes over the South China Sea have been brewing for years and the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia have also made competing claims to waters believed to have significant oil and natural gas deposits.

The Philippines on Monday said it was taking "appropriate diplomatic action".

China has built a string of artificial islands in contested areas of the South China Sea since 2013, and installed an array of airbases, radar systems and naval facilities that will allow it to project power over hundreds of kilometres of ocean where the US Navy’s dominance previously faced few serious challenges.&nbsp

China on Friday for the first time landed several combat aircraft -- including the long-range, nuclear strike-capable H-6K -- at an island airfield in the sea, triggering international concern

Beijing hit back at allegations it was "militarising" the South China Sea on Monday after landing bombers at an airbase in the contested waters, instead accusing Washington of increasing tensions with its own military footprint. China on Friday for the first time landed several combat aircraft -- including the long-range, nuclear strike-capable H-6K -- at an island airfield in the sea, triggering international concern. The move prompted immediate criticism from the US, with a Pentagon spokesman condemning China's "continued militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea". But China was quick to dismiss concerns that the deployment had raised tensions in a region home to vital global shipping routes. "The South China Sea islands are Chinese territories," foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told a regular briefing. Lu said the movement of the bombers into the area was "part of the normal training for the Chinese military", and that the US "sending its own warships and planes to the region... poses a danger to other countries". Friday's takeoff and landing drills took place on Woody Island, according to Washington think-tank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Woody Island is home to China's largest base in the Paracel Islands, which are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. Territorial disputes over the South China Sea have been brewing for years and the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia have also made competing claims to waters believed to have significant oil and natural gas deposits. The Philippines on Monday said it was taking "appropriate diplomatic action". China has built a string of artificial islands in contested areas of the South China Sea since 2013, and installed an array of airbases, radar systems and naval facilities that will allow it to project power over hundreds of kilometres of ocean where the US Navy’s dominance previously faced few serious challenges.

Beijing denies 'militarisation' of South China Sea

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday announced that anyone who would want to carry out oil and gas exploration or exploitation in Chinese waters would require a prior permission from Beijing.

Chinese Ministry spokesman Lu Kang informed media at a briefing. Kang reacted to queries over recent drilling by Russian state oil firm Rosneft in China claimed waters.

"We urge relevant parties to earnestly respect China's sovereign and jurisdictional rights and not do anything that could impact bilateral relations or this region's peace and stability," Lu said.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Chinese Ministry spokesman Lu Kang reacted to queries over recent drilling by Russian state oil firm Rosneft in China claimed waters

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday announced that anyone who would want to carry out oil and gas exploration or exploitation in Chinese waters would require a prior permission from Beijing. Chinese Ministry spokesman Lu Kang informed media at a briefing. Kang reacted to queries over recent drilling by Russian state oil firm Rosneft in China claimed waters. "We urge relevant parties to earnestly respect China's sovereign and jurisdictional rights and not do anything that could impact bilateral relations or this region's peace and stability," Lu said. (With inputs from Reuters)

No one can carry out oil, gas activities in Chinese waters without permission: China

China's first domestically manufactured aircraft carrier started sea trials&nbsp;Sunday, state media said, a landmark in Beijing's ambitious plans to modernise its navy as the Asian giant presses its claims in disputed regional waters.

The carrier, known only as "Type 001A", set out for the trials from a port in northeastern China at around&nbsp;6.45 am&nbsp;(2245 GMT&nbsp;Saturday), according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Expected to be commissioned by 2020, the ship will give China a second aircraft carrier as it asserts its claims in the South China Sea and seeks to deter any independence movements in Taiwan.

Footage aired by CCTV showed the imposing carrier accompanied by several smaller military craft leaving a wharf and heading out to sea.

It is the first time the ship's engine, propulsion and navigation systems will be tested at sea, state media said, a year after it first took to the water at its official launch.

China's sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is a repurposed Soviet ship bought from Ukraine, which went into service in 2012.&nbsp;

Neither the Liaoning or the new ship are nuclear powered, but both can carry around 40 planes and have similar "ski jump" ramps, an old launch system that forces aircraft to carry fewer weapons in order to hold more fuel for take-off.

The possession of a homegrown aircraft carrier -- which the defence ministry has said displaces 55,000 tonnes -- places China among the few military powers with such vessels, including the United States, Russia and Britain.

But it would still be no match in size or range to the nuclear-powered vessels of the United States Navy, which has 11 carriers.

China's warships will enable it to "project its power and influence in its neighbourhood", Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), told AFP.

Chinese state media have been speculating that a third aircraft carrier is in the works, but the defence ministry has yet to confirm this.

However, even with the potential development of further carriers, it could still be years before China's navy is able to deploy its fleet effectively, said Tsang.

"With the Chinese carriers substantially inferior in capacity to the US super-carriers, the balance of forces between the two navies will only change marginally rather than substantially," he said.

Beijing has embarked on an extensive project to build a "blue water" navy and modernise its two million-strong military, the world's largest.

China's defence budget rose 8.1 percent to 1.1 trillion yuan ($175 billion) in 2018, but it is still only about a quarter that of the United States.

The Liaoning has conducted a series of manoeuvres with dozens of other ships, submarines and aircraft in the South China Sea in recent weeks.

In March it sailed through the Taiwan Strait, prompting Taipei to dispatch ships and planes to track the vessel, on the same day Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against what he called any attempts to split China.

Beijing sees democratically governed Taiwan as a renegade part of its territory to be brought back into the fold and has not ruled out reunification by force.

China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan have claimed to the South China Sea, while Beijing also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea.

The US, meanwhile, regularly conducts "freedom of navigation" naval operations near artificial islands in the South China Sea to challenges Beijing's claims.

The carrier, known only as 'Type 001A', set out for the trials from a port in northeastern China at around 6.45 am, according to state broadcaster CCTV

China's first domestically manufactured aircraft carrier started sea trials Sunday, state media said, a landmark in Beijing's ambitious plans to modernise its navy as the Asian giant presses its claims in disputed regional waters. The carrier, known only as "Type 001A", set out for the trials from a port in northeastern China at around 6.45 am (2245 GMT Saturday), according to state broadcaster CCTV. Expected to be commissioned by 2020, the ship will give China a second aircraft carrier as it asserts its claims in the South China Sea and seeks to deter any independence movements in Taiwan. Footage aired by CCTV showed the imposing carrier accompanied by several smaller military craft leaving a wharf and heading out to sea. It is the first time the ship's engine, propulsion and navigation systems will be tested at sea, state media said, a year after it first took to the water at its official launch. China's sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is a repurposed Soviet ship bought from Ukraine, which went into service in 2012. Neither the Liaoning or the new ship are nuclear powered, but both can carry around 40 planes and have similar "ski jump" ramps, an old launch system that forces aircraft to carry fewer weapons in order to hold more fuel for take-off. The possession of a homegrown aircraft carrier -- which the defence ministry has said displaces 55,000 tonnes -- places China among the few military powers with such vessels, including the United States, Russia and Britain. But it would still be no match in size or range to the nuclear-powered vessels of the United States Navy, which has 11 carriers. China's warships will enable it to "project its power and influence in its neighbourhood", Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), told AFP. Chinese state media have been speculating that a third aircraft carrier is in the works, but the defence ministry has yet to confirm this. However, even with the potential development of further carriers, it could still be years before China's navy is able to deploy its fleet effectively, said Tsang. "With the Chinese carriers substantially inferior in capacity to the US super-carriers, the balance of forces between the two navies will only change marginally rather than substantially," he said. Beijing has embarked on an extensive project to build a "blue water" navy and modernise its two million-strong military, the world's largest. China's defence budget rose 8.1 percent to 1.1 trillion yuan ($175 billion) in 2018, but it is still only about a quarter that of the United States. The Liaoning has conducted a series of manoeuvres with dozens of other ships, submarines and aircraft in the South China Sea in recent weeks. In March it sailed through the Taiwan Strait, prompting Taipei to dispatch ships and planes to track the vessel, on the same day Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against what he called any attempts to split China. Beijing sees democratically governed Taiwan as a renegade part of its territory to be brought back into the fold and has not ruled out reunification by force. China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan have claimed to the South China Sea, while Beijing also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea. The US, meanwhile, regularly conducts "freedom of navigation" naval operations near artificial islands in the South China Sea to challenges Beijing's claims.

First China-made aircraft carrier starts sea trials: State media

The United States has raised concerns with China about its latest militarization of the South China Sea and there will be near-term and long-term consequences, the White House said on Thursday.

US&nbspnews network CNBC reported on Wednesday that China had installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three outposts in the South China Sea. It cited sources with direct knowledge of US&nbspintelligence.

Asked about the report, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a regular news briefing: "We’re well aware of China’s militarization of the South China Sea. We’ve raised concerns directly with the Chinese about this and there will be near-term and long-term consequences."

Sanders did not say what the consequences might be.

A US&nbspofficial, speaking on condition of anonymity, said US&nbspintelligence had seen some signs that China had moved some weapons systems to the Spratly Islands in the past month or so, but offered no details.

CNBC quoted unnamed sources as saying that according to US&nbspintelligence assessments, the missiles were moved to Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands within the past 30 days.

They would be the first Chinese missile deployments in the Spratlys, where several Asian countries including Vietnam and Taiwan have rival claims.

China's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Its foreign ministry said China has irrefutable sovereignty over the Spratlys and that necessary defensive deployments were for national security needs and not aimed at any country.

"Those who do not intend to be aggressive have no need to be worried or scared," ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Julie Bishop, the foreign minister of US&nbspally Australia, said the reports, if accurate, would be a concern as the actions would be contrary to China's stated aspiration not to militarize the features.

"China, of course, has a unique responsibility as a permanent member of the Security Council, to uphold peace and security around the world," Bishop told reporters in Queensland. "Any action to militarize unilaterally features in the South China Sea would go against that responsibility and that role.”

CNBC said the YJ-12B anti-ship cruise missiles allowed China to strike vessels within 295 nautical miles. It said the HQ-9B long-range, surface-to-air missiles could target aircraft, drones and cruise missiles within 160 nautical miles.

Eric Sayers, a former consultant to the commander of the US&nbspPacific Command, called the missile deployment "a major escalation" and said one immediate US&nbspresponse could be to rescind Beijing's invitation to this year's RIMPAC multilateral naval exercises beginning in Hawaii in July.

"When China sees that it can get away with these types of actions with little cost - as they did all through 2015 and 2016 - it only makes it more likely they will keep pressing," said Sayers, currently an adjunct fellow at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"China sees its participation in the exercise as a sign of its acceptance among the world's maritime powers but Beijing should not be allowed to militarize this open maritime domain and still be honoured as a welcomed member of the maritime community."

Last month, US&nbspAdmiral Philip Davidson, nominated to head US&nbspPacific Command, said China could use its "forward operating bases" in the South China Sea to challenge the US&nbspregional presence and "would easily overwhelm the military forces of any other South China Sea claimants."

China had installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three outposts in the South China Sea

The United States has raised concerns with China about its latest militarization of the South China Sea and there will be near-term and long-term consequences, the White House said on Thursday. US&nbspnews network CNBC reported on Wednesday that China had installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three outposts in the South China Sea. It cited sources with direct knowledge of US&nbspintelligence. Asked about the report, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a regular news briefing: "We’re well aware of China’s militarization of the South China Sea. We’ve raised concerns directly with the Chinese about this and there will be near-term and long-term consequences." Sanders did not say what the consequences might be. A US&nbspofficial, speaking on condition of anonymity, said US&nbspintelligence had seen some signs that China had moved some weapons systems to the Spratly Islands in the past month or so, but offered no details. CNBC quoted unnamed sources as saying that according to US&nbspintelligence assessments, the missiles were moved to Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands within the past 30 days. They would be the first Chinese missile deployments in the Spratlys, where several Asian countries including Vietnam and Taiwan have rival claims. China's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Its foreign ministry said China has irrefutable sovereignty over the Spratlys and that necessary defensive deployments were for national security needs and not aimed at any country. "Those who do not intend to be aggressive have no need to be worried or scared," ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. Julie Bishop, the foreign minister of US&nbspally Australia, said the reports, if accurate, would be a concern as the actions would be contrary to China's stated aspiration not to militarize the features. "China, of course, has a unique responsibility as a permanent member of the Security Council, to uphold peace and security around the world," Bishop told reporters in Queensland. "Any action to militarize unilaterally features in the South China Sea would go against that responsibility and that role.” CNBC said the YJ-12B anti-ship cruise missiles allowed China to strike vessels within 295 nautical miles. It said the HQ-9B long-range, surface-to-air missiles could target aircraft, drones and cruise missiles within 160 nautical miles. Eric Sayers, a former consultant to the commander of the US&nbspPacific Command, called the missile deployment "a major escalation" and said one immediate US&nbspresponse could be to rescind Beijing's invitation to this year's RIMPAC multilateral naval exercises beginning in Hawaii in July. "When China sees that it can get away with these types of actions with little cost - as they did all through 2015 and 2016 - it only makes it more likely they will keep pressing," said Sayers, currently an adjunct fellow at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. "China sees its participation in the exercise as a sign of its acceptance among the world's maritime powers but Beijing should not be allowed to militarize this open maritime domain and still be honoured as a welcomed member of the maritime community." Last month, US&nbspAdmiral Philip Davidson, nominated to head US&nbspPacific Command, said China could use its "forward operating bases" in the South China Sea to challenge the US&nbspregional presence and "would easily overwhelm the military forces of any other South China Sea claimants."

US says will be consequences for China's South China Sea militarization

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