China slams Philippine-US cooperation in disputed sea

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING

China has accused the military alliance between the United States and the Philippines of reflecting a “cold-war mentality”, state media reported Friday, after the allies announced they would continue joint patrols in disputed seawaters.

China’s defense ministry said late Thursday that such activity in the South China Sea -- which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea -- “has led to militarization in the region, which is harmful to regional peace and stability."

Its statement was released after U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told reporters in Manila that the patrols would continue enhancing U.S.-Philippine cooperation and “contribute to the safety and security of the region’s waters.”

He also announced that 275 U.S. troops and five ground attack aircraft currently in the archipelago for annual military exercises would temporarily remain there.

“China’s actions in particular are causing anxiety and raising regional tensions,” the Philippine Star quoted Carter as saying Thursday.

Beijing’s defense ministry said the allies’ strengthening military alliance in the sea “went against peace and stability”.

"The Chinese military will pay close attention to the situation, and resolutely defend China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests," its statement underlined.

"We urge the parties concerned to sincerely respect the regional countries' efforts to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea," it added.

China considers almost all the resource-rich South China Sea its territory, and has overlapping claims with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.

Beijing’s reclamation work in the region, which includes the building of airfields on some of the disputed islands, has prompted the U.S. and its allies -- including Japan -- to express alarm over the maritime expansion, which they suspect is aimed at extending its military reach.

China’s defense ministry also revealed Friday that a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, Fan Changlong, had visited "in recent days" parts of the disputed Spratly island chain -- which Beijing calls the Nansha Islands.

During his trip, Fan -- one of China’s top-ranking generals -- met with soldiers and construction workers and was briefed about ongoing projects including lighthouses and weather stations, according to the statement.