US: Find peaceful solution to South China Sea dispute

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, May 28

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has called for an immediate end to island-building by China and other countries near the South China Sea, urging the participants to stop militarising the dispute and find a peaceful solution.

Carter said China's island-building efforts were "out of step" with the regional consensus and that US military aircraft and warships would continue to operate in the area as permitted under international law. "China's actions are bringing countries in the region together in new ways," he said in a military ceremony in Hawaii.

"They're increasing demand for American engagement in the Asia-Pacific. We're going to meet it. We will remain the principal security power in the Asia-Pacific for decades to come," Carter said.

Carter's comments came a week after the US Navy sent a P-8 reconnaissance plane carrying navy and TV camera crews to film Chinese island-building activity in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. In Beijing, the foreign ministry said the US had "double standards." US says China has added 2,000 acres to five outposts in the Spratlys. — Reuters