PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii—China has isolated itself by
pursuing development of a chain of artificial islands in the South
China Sea, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said, in Washington's most
forceful rebuke yet of Beijing's attempts to assert its territorial
rights in international waters.
"There should be no mistake: the United States will fly, sail
and operate wherever international law allows, as we do all around
the world," Mr. Carter said at a ceremony here to recognize a
change of commanders at U.S. Pacific Command.
His remarks came a day after China laid out a strategy to shift
its armed forces' focus toward maritime warfare and prevent foreign
powers from "meddling" in the South China Sea.
Beijing has defended its actions as legally proper and within
the scope of its sovereignty.
The U.S. wants to resolve the international dispute over the
islands peacefully, Mr. Carter said, but also wants "an immediate
and lasting halt" to land reclamation by China and other claimants,
which include the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan.
"With its actions in the South China Sea, China is out of step
with both international norms that underscore the Asia-Pacific's
security architecture," Mr. Carter said.
The escalating rhetoric over the disputed territory has set the
stage for a confrontation between senior Chinese and U.S.
officials, including Mr. Carter, at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue,
an international security conference, this weekend.
Chinese officials didn't respond to Mr. Carter's latest
comments.
The defense secretary has sought to persuade Beijing to stop its
construction of the islands, which consist of submerged reefs
augmented by dredged materials. China has created a total of 2,000
acres of new land mass across seven islands, according to Pentagon
officials. About 1,500 acres of those islands were built since
January. Satellite images of the expanding land masses show China
has built an airstrip on one of the islands that is large enough
for fighter jets, transport planes and surveillance aircraft,
significantly enhancing Beijing's capability to patrol the skies in
the area.
While pressing his criticism of Beijing, Mr. Carter hasn't
announced a change in U.S. posture over the islands. Earlier this
month, Mr. Carter asked his staff to recommend options to address
the issue, including flying aircraft and sailing vessels to within
12 nautical miles of the islands to reassert the right of
navigational freedom.
For natural land structures, the 12-natautical mile limit is
considered restricted area. Last week, a Navy surveillance plane
flew near the islands and was given a warning by Chinese officials
to keep back. But the flight didn't cross the 12-mile threshold,
which would have signaled a more dramatic shift in U.S. policy.
Beijing's determination to expand the islands, which are among a
group known as the Spratlys, about 800 miles off mainland China's
shoreline, is bringing the countries of the region together "in new
ways" and those countries are demanding more American engagement in
the Asia-Pacific, Mr. Carter said at Wednesday's ceremony. The U.S.
has sought to put greater emphasis on the region as part of a
rebalancing of strategic focus.
The Philippines contests some of China's claims in the South
China Sea, but lacks modern military equipment needed to defend its
maritime territory. Vietnam, another rival claimant, has invested
in advanced capabilities such as modern fighter jets, submarines
and land-attack cruise missiles, all from Russia. But even after
these new weapon systems are in place several years from now,
Beijing would enjoy overwhelming superiority in any confrontation
with Hanoi.
The same couldn't be said for a confrontation with the U.S.,
however.
The People's Liberation Army has approximately 2,100 fighter or
bomber aircraft in its hangars, according to the U.S. Department of
Defense. But only a few hundred of those are considered modern
aircraft.
China's only aircraft carrier—while a huge leap
forward for its navy—is still seen mainly as a practice
platform for a future carrier fleet. A recent Pentagon review of
China's military modernization said Beijing is "investing in
capabilities designed to defeat adversary power projection and
counter third-party—including U.S.—intervention
during a crisis or conflict." In practice, that means hundreds of
ballistic and cruise missiles positioned near the coast to deter
Japanese or American warships from coming anywhere near Chinese
territory. China has a substantial submarine fleet as well, piling
on more risk for enemy ships.
Beijing's release of the military white paper came with a small
courtesy: When President Barack Obama visited China last year, the
two countries agreed on some "confidence-building measures" to
enhance their relationship. As a result, Beijing notified
Washington in advance that it would be releasing the white paper,
just as the U.S. told China that the Pentagon would release its own
analysis of Chinese military power earlier this month.
Trefor Moss contributed to this article.
Write to Gordon Lubold at Gordon.Lubold@wsj.com
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