US ready to respond to threats in Asia-Pacific region

WASHINGTON – The US Pacific Fleet is prepared to respond to threats against the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region in the face of China’s undisputed land reclamation in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, its commander said.

“My intent is not to plan for war against any particular nation, but rather to lessen the chances of conflict by increasing security and stability more broadly throughout the region. But the Pacific Fleet is prepared, unequivocally, to respond to threats to our nation, our interests and our allies from a position of strength,” Admiral Harry Harris told a security conference in Canberra on Tuesday.

China claims most of the sea and its coral reefs, rocks and sandbars but competing claims by the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries stoke tensions and increase the potential for miscalculations, he said.

But what’s really drawing a lot of concern is the unprecedented land reclamation currently being conducted by China, he said.

“China is building artificial land by pumping sand on to live coral reefs – some of them submerged – and paving over them with concrete. China has now created over four square kilometers of artificial landmass,” he said.  

Submerged reefs in the Spratlys have been turned into artificial islands with buildings, wharves and runways.

“When one looks at China’s pattern of provocative actions towards smaller claimant states – the lack of clarity on its sweeping nine-dash line claim that is inconsistent with international law and the deep asymmetry between China’s capabilities and those of its smaller neighbors – well, it’s no surprise that the scope and pace of building man-made islands raise serious questions about Chinese intentions,” he said.

The US has urged all claimants to conform to the 2002 China-ASEAN Declaration of Conduct in which all parties have committed to “exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability.”

“How China proceeds will be a key indicator of whether the region is heading towards confrontation or cooperation,” he added.

China insists its territorial claims have a historical basis and the US should not meddle in these disputes. 

Harris said the US was on pace to have 60 percent of its Navy based in the Pacific Fleet by 2020.

“By maintaining a capable and credible forward presence in the region, we’re able to improve our ability to maintain stability and security. And if any crisis does break out, we’re better positioned to quickly respond,” he said.

The rebalance initiatives by the US Navy and Marine Corps team include the ongoing first deployment of the new Littoral Combat Ship to Southeast Asia, the deployment of Marines to Australia, the arrival of Virginia-class submarines and San Antonio-class amphibious landing dock ships and the future deployment of the P-8 Poseidon, the MV-22 Osprey and the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.

A bipartisan group of US senators recently described the Chinese sea reclamations as a direct challenge not only to the interests of the US and the region but to the international community because it gave China the potential to expand its military reach.

“While other states have built on existing land masses, China is changing the size, structure and physical attributes of land features themselves,” they said in a letter.            

“This is a qualitative change that appears designed to alter the status quo in the South China Sea.”  – With Janvic Mateo