China refutes Obama’s remarks on S China Sea

Beijing, January 27

Refuting US President Barack Obama’s remarks on upholding freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea, China today asserted that there has never been a problem of navigation in the area and relevant issue should be resolved through talks by parties directly concerned.

“We believe relevant issue should be resolved through dialogue and consultation by parties directly concerned,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here today.

She was replying to question over Obama’s remarks in New Delhi today that US welcomes a greater role for India in the Asia Pacific, where the freedom of navigation must be upheld and disputes must be resolved peacefully.

“At present situation in South China Sea is generally stable and there is consensus between China and ASEAN countries that is we will jointly safeguard peace and stability of South China Sea and the situation in freedom of navigation and over-flights have not seen any problems and there will be none in the future,” she said.

Earlier in New Delhi, Obama said freedom of navigation must be upheld in the Asia Pacific and welcomed a greater role for India in the region. — PTI

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Beijing: Cautioning India about US President Barack Obama’s strategy to “split” India’s relations with both China and Russia, China’s official media and experts today warned that New Delhi’s close ties with Washington may pose problems for Sino-India relations. “Obama’s strategy is quite clear. He wants to split the relations between China and India, as well as India and Russia, in an effort to fulfill his strategy of a ‘re-balance’ in Asia,” state-run Global Times said. PTI

Beijing’s reaction

"We believe relevant issue should be resolved through consultation by parties directly concerned. At present the situation in South China Sea is stable. The situation in freedom of navigation and over-flights have not seen any problems and there will be none in the future"  A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson