Beijing upset over India-US reference to South China Sea

BEIJING: China is upset over India's decision to join the US in expressing concern over island disputes in the South China Sea. Chinese foreign ministry on Wednesday said "any third party" should not be involved in the dispute, which involves several countries — China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Philippines.

"Our position is the dispute in the South China Sea should be resolved by countries directly concerned through negotiation and consultation, and any third party should not be involved in the dispute," Hong Lei, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said. He was replying to a question about the issue being mentioned in a joint statement by India and the US during PM Narendra Modi's visit to Washington recently.

"The leaders expressed concern about rising tensions over maritime territorial disputes, and affirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea," the joint statement said. Significantly, India has taken a similar stance rejecting third party involvement in the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan. But China has continued to build construction projects in the PoK, which indirectly strengthen Islamabad's case against India.

http://ift.tt/1xgjcdr China Sea,island disputes

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