US envoy: Unfair to blame US for China's actions in South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte pointing fingers at the United States' supposed inaction against China's militarization of the South China is rather unfair, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said.
"I'm not sure if it's really fair to point a finger at the United States 'cause we're not doing anything. It's China that's taking aggressive unilateral actions in the disputed area," Kim told ANC's "Beyond Politics."
Duterte, president of a sovereign nation, has been repeatedly asking Washington why it did nothing to stop Beijing from building structures in the South China Sea.
In 2018, China has deployed anti-cruise ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles and electronic jamming equipment on its artificial islands in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea.
The American envoy pointed out that China broke its promise that it will refrain from militarizing its artificial islands in the disputed waterway.
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"Our basic approach or position on the South China Sea situation really hasn't changed. I think we have been consistent that we call on all claimant countries to refrain from aggressive unilateral actions," the ambassador said.
Kim added that the US is still hoping that the South China Sea dispute will be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law.
"And we will do all we can to make sure that international rights and principles are protected," Kim said.
In July 2016, a United Nations-backed tribunal ruled that China violated its commitment under the Convention on the Law of the Sea upon conducting massive land reclamation activities in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
Beijing, however, refused to acknowledge the landmark ruling and insisted that they have indisputable sovereignty over the area.
The US Navy has been increasing its presence in the South China amid China's installment of military equipment in the area.
US National Security Advisor John Bolton earlier said Washington is ready to build up its capabilities and increase patrols in the South China Sea. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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