U.S. and China square off at Asia security forum
Using unusually strong language, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel took aim at Beijing's handling of territorial disputes with its Asian neighbors.
"In recent months, China has undertaken destabilizing, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea," Hagel said.
He warned Beijing that the United States was committed to its geopolitical rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region and "will not look the other way when fundamental principles of the international order are being challenged".
Hagel said the United States took no position on the merits of rival territorial claims in the region, but added: "We firmly oppose any nation's use of intimidation, coercion, or the threat of force to assert these claims."
His speech at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia biggest security forum, provoked an angry reaction from the deputy chief of staff of the Chinese Army, Lieutenant-General Wang Guanzhong.
"I felt that Secretary Hagel's speech is full of hegemonism, threat and intimidation," he told reporters just after the speech.
Wang said the speech was aimed at causing trouble in the Asia-Pacific.
Hagel's comments followed the keynote address by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the same forum on Friday evening, who pledged "utmost support" to Southeast Asian countries, several of which are locked in maritime disputes with China.
"I felt that they were just trying to echo each other," Wang said.
Hagel later held a bilateral meeting with Wang, where the Chinese military leader expressed his surprise at the U.S. defense secretary's speech.
"You were very candid this morning, and to be frank, more than our expectations," he said. "Although I do think those criticisms are groundless, I do appreciate your candor … likewise we will also share our candor."
http://news.yahoo.com/u-backs-japans-abe-tells-china-stop-destabilizing-022309858.html;_ylt=AwrBEiHMyolTByUAbUbQtDMD
Hm, so China says the US was tougher than "their expectations" -- that's a good thing. Because expectations are that Obama is so weak.
Meanwhile Japan is stepping up as a leader in the region countering China, with the US backing Japan.
Maybe the Obama admin is finally learning a thing or two -- that you cannot waffle, you cannot be weak, and that a place like China really just wants *clarity*. If you let things get to a mess and then you do something about it, then it's just a bigger mess, so just give these other nations *clarity* from the outset and avoid the big mess to start with, and everyone appreciates that in the end.
Allies and adversaries alike are both looking for clarity, and consistency. Which have not happened under Obama and has led to a more destabilized world.
Maybe they've learned after Crimea. But, I'll note that President Obama doesn't seem handle this so much anymore, it falls to General Dempsey giving warnings to Russia, and talking to China, and now Defense sec Hagel. At least someone is doing it, but it's supposed to be the President.