Ex-Beijing diplomat warns US: Back off in S China Sea

WASHINGTON — In a stern warning, China’s former top diplomat has cautioned the United States against “heavy-handed” intervention in the South China Sea, adding that Beijing will not heed the ruling of an international court hearing into competing maritime claims by China and the Philippines as it would be “nothing more than a piece of waste paper”.

“We in China would not be intimidated by the US’ actions, not even if the US sent all the 10 aircraft carriers to the South China Sea,” said former state councillor Dai Bingguo at a gathering of Chinese and American academics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington on Tuesday. “The US’ heavy-handed intervention in the South China Sea issue needs to be scaled back … The temperature of the South China Sea is now high enough. If such momentum went unchecked, accidents could happen and the South China Sea might sink into chaos and so might the entire of Asia.”

As state councillor, Mr Dai was the country’s top diplomat during former president Hu Jintao’s administration.

He is now the chairman of Jinan University. Beijing sometimes allows retired party officials and diplomats to speak more candidly and forcefully on geopolitical issues than current political office holders.

“I hear the arbitration ruling will come out soon, and so be it. There’s no big deal, for it amounts to nothing more than a piece of waste paper,” said Mr Dai.

He stated that no one and no country should implement the award in any form, much less to force China into implementation. “The Philippines must be dissuaded from making any further provocation. Otherwise, China would not sit idle,” said Mr Dai in a thinly veiled threat.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei reiterated yesterday at a regular news briefing that the South China Sea arbitration case initiated by the Philippines was “illegal, null and void” from the outset. “China will never accept nor recognise whatever ruling the arbitration tribunal may produce. And China does not accept any proposal or action by any country based on the ruling,” said Mr Hong.

Vietnam, China and Taiwan all claim the Paracel Islands, which are occupied by China, and those three, along with the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, claim all or parts of the Spratly Islands, which are believed to be rich in natural resources and occupy one of the world’s busiest sea lanes.

China’s massive land reclamation projects and increased militarisation of the seven reefs and atolls in the Spratlys over the past two years have raised serious concerns in the region.

The US has dispatched a series of patrols to the South China Sea, ostensibly to uphold freedom of navigation, drawing China’s ire.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is expected to issue a ruling on July 12 on a case brought by the Philippines in 2013 contesting China’s claims in the South China Sea. Beijing insists the tribunal has no jurisdiction over the case and has repeatedly said it will ignore the ruling. The tribunal is expected to rule against China.

Ahead of the ruling, China on Tuesday kicked off week-long military drills in the Paracel Islands in a show of force. Vietnam has protested against the exercises, saying it violates the country’s sovereignty and raises tensions in the region.

But Mr Hong said yesterday the Paracels are China’s “inherent territory”. “The relevant military drill is a routine exercise under the annual plan of the Chinese Navy. It is within China’s sovereignty and not targeted at any particular country, and (the) relevant party should take it objectively,” he said. AGENCIES